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.

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.