Vote counting has officially commenced at Polling Unit 024 in Ward B, Makoko area of Yaba, Lagos, marking the winding down of the 2025 local government election across the state.

However, the conclusion of the poll has been overshadowed by a pervasive low voter turnout, raising questions about the exercise’s overall impact.

“The lack of voter enthusiasm could impact the credibility and inclusiveness of the exercise,” an election observer noted, reflecting a sentiment shared by many watching the democratic process unfold.

This concern comes as officials at Polling Unit 002, located in the same Ward B, continued to await the arrival of voters even as counting began elsewhere.

Despite a generally peaceful atmosphere reported across various polling units, voter turnout remained significantly low in many parts of Yaba.

At Ward F, 012, situated along Iwaya Road, voting was still ongoing as of press time, with officials describing the turnout as notably lower than anticipated.

Similar reports echoed from other sections of Iwaya, where Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission officials observed a sluggish pace of voting activity throughout the day.

In contrast, Ward G at St. Timothy College presented a more active scene, with multiple polling units—including 001, 002, 003, 004, and 005—conducting voting in an orderly manner.

This provided a glimpse of the organised process, even amidst the broader challenges of voter engagement.

Election observers, while commending the largely calm and disruption-free process, reiterated their concerns that the palpable lack of voter enthusiasm could indeed impact the credibility and inclusiveness of the local government elections.

LASIEC officials have continued their efforts to encourage eligible voters to come out and cast their ballots before the scheduled close of voting at 3pm.

As voting was about to commence in the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area of Lagos on Saturday, a group of children were seen playing street football along the usually busy Ikosi Road, momentarily turning the street into a playground.

The scene, marked by laughter and shouts of joy, contrasted with the otherwise quiet atmosphere that typically precedes election activities.

Security personnel and polling officials were beginning to set up at nearby polling units while residents trickled in to cast their votes in the 2025 Lagos Local Government election.

The Lagos LG poll is part of a statewide exercise to elect chairpersons and councillors across the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.

The election, organised by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, is seen as a critical step in grassroots governance and service delivery.

Saturday’s poll has so far proceeded without major incidents.

The Ikosi-Isheri area, like many parts of Lagos, saw limited vehicular movement, with restrictions in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the election.

Saturday’s poll has so far proceeded without major incidents.

The Ikosi-Isheri area, like many parts of Lagos, saw limited vehicular movement, with restrictions in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the election.

As polling officials worked to organise materials and verify logistics, the match between the children served as a brief reminder of everyday life continuing amid the civic process.

Election observers and security operatives remain stationed across the state to monitor proceedings, as voters head to the poll to choose local representatives expected to oversee community development, primary education, and waste management, among other responsibilities.

Polling units in the Awolowo Road area of Ikoyi, Lagos, experienced significant delays, with Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission officials yet to arrive as of 8:51am on Saturday.

It was observed that many of these polling units were deserted, save for a handful of patient voters awaiting the election officers.

Specifically, at Polling Unit 29, near the Federal Service Club, only a single party agent was present, also awaiting LASIEC officials.

The situation in the Obalende area was equally slow to start, with several youths seen playing football as late as 9:15am.

At Polling Unit 29, located near the Federal Service Club, only one party agent was present, also awaiting LASIEC officials.

In the Obalende area, as of 9:15am, several youths were seen playing football on the road while security personnel were actively controlling the situation and instructing them to remove makeshift barricades.

Meanwhile, vehicular and pedestrian movement came to a standstill around the Berger and Awolowo axis, as security operatives patrolled the area to ensure order and voter safety.

However, at polling units on Odo street and Igbo street in Obalende, LASIEC officials and party agents were seen on the ground, preparing for the commencement of voting.