As of 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, dozens of security personnel and electoral officials were seen stranded at the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area secretariat in Lagos, awaiting their deployment for the ongoing local government elections.
Our correspondent, who visited the area, observed that the officials, some of whom had arrived since Friday night, were visibly frustrated by the delay in logistical arrangements.
“I slept out here on Friday night and till now, they are yet to allocate us. It’s frustrating,” one of the officials, who declined to be named, told our reporter.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission is conducting elections across the 20 local government areas and 37 LCDAs to fill key positions at the grassroots level, including chairmanship and councillorship seats.
The polls are seen as a critical exercise in deepening local governance and fostering political accountability in the state.
However, reports of delayed deployment and logistical hiccups have raised concerns about the preparedness of electoral authorities and the smooth conduct of the exercise in certain locations.
At Ikosi-Isheri, the discontent among security operatives and electoral staff was palpable, with many lamenting the lack of basic amenities, coordination, and timely information from officials in charge.
Some said they had not received food or stipends since their arrival.
Despite the delays, electoral materials were reportedly still being sorted inside the secretariat, while several units had yet to be staffed as of press time.
Voter turnout in the area also appeared low in the early hours of the day, with many residents unaware of polling unit locations or discouraged by the late start.
LASIEC officials have yet to comment on the delays at Ikosi-Isheri LCDA.
