An 82-year-old resident of Esa-Odo, Moses Olufemi, cast his ballot on Saturday at the Esa-Odo Apostolic Primary School polling unit, PU 001, Ward 09, in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State. The octogenarian arrived early to exercise his civic right, describing the voting process as seamless despite the morning turnout.
Elderly Voter Fulfills Civic Duty
Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES at the polling unit, Mr Olufemi emphasized the importance of voting, saying, “It’s my civic right to do, if I don’t do it, I am cheating myself.” He also called on the Osun State Government to continue fulfilling its responsibilities to citizens, noting that residents had turned out in numbers to participate in the electoral process.
Voting at the unit commenced at approximately 8:30 a.m., with voters forming queues to cast their ballots. The atmosphere was orderly, with security personnel deployed to maintain peace and order throughout the exercise.
INEC Official Urges Priority for Elderly Voters
Earlier, Bello Oluwatoye, an assistant presiding officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the polling unit, addressed voters in the queue shortly after voting began. He appealed to voters to allow elderly persons to cast their ballots first, so they could return home early and avoid long waits.
The polling unit has a total of 822 registered voters. Security officials were present to ensure a peaceful and transparent voting process, reflecting the commitment to a credible election in the area.
Community Participation in Local Government Election
The participation of elderly citizens like Mr Olufemi highlights the dedication of residents to civic engagement. His call for the government to deliver on its promises underscores the expectations of the community as they exercise their democratic rights.
As voting continued, the presence of INEC officials and security personnel aimed to facilitate a smooth process. The election in Obokun LGA is part of the broader local government elections in Osun State, with voters across the state turning out to choose their representatives.
