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.

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.

It was 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 said.

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.

Police officers at Ikosi-Isheri LCDA.

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.