By Julius Alabi, Akure
The atmosphere is peaceful as eighteen candidates are vying for the Alagbaka Government House top office for a four-year tenure.
The two major contestants are Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the APC and Hon. Agboola Ajayi of the PDP. The two men are from the riverine areas of the state. Theere supporters are battle-ready for the election in all the 18 local government areas of the state.
INEC facility is heavily guarded by personnel from various law enforcement agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
All security officers present are armed, and outsiders trying to access the INEC headquarters attract intense frisking.
Security patrol vehicles are strategically positioned at the entrance gate and major road leading to the INEC state office.
The police authority in the state has announced stringent measures to ensure law and order, including a total ban on unauthorised security activities and movement during the election.
The restrictions, which include a movement ban from 6:00am to 6:00pm today, are part of broader efforts to maintain peace and order during the polls
This proactive measure, the police stated, is essential to safeguarding the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
Accreditation of voters and voting is expected to commence by 8am in all the polling units in the state.