The Ekiti governorship election is being closely watched across the country, with voters deciding who will lead the state for the next four years.
The contest has attracted significant attention from political parties, civil society groups and election monitors, who have emphasized the importance of peaceful and credible polls.
Voting commenced early across the various local government areas of the State as both voters and election materials arrived early across many polling units in the state while security personnel and electoral officials monitored the exercise.
Voting began in many polling units across different Local Government Areas between 8:30 a.m. and 8:50 a.m.
At Ward 9 Hummy Paul International Ventures within Ado-Ekiti LGA, accreditation and voting commenced at 8:44 a.m. after the presiding officer addressed voters at the polling unit.
Also, at the Polling Unit 003, which is the Polling Unit of the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, within Ekiti West Local Government Area, voting commenced at exactly 8:34 a.m.
The Governor is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC in the election.
At Polling Unit 015, Registration Area 2, in Ado Ekiti Local Government Area, accreditation and voting started at about 8:30 a.m.
Reports from several locations indicated that accreditation and voting commenced peacefully, with citizens queuing to cast their ballots.
