Voting has ended at several polling units across Osun State, with election officials beginning the sorting and counting of ballots in the ongoing governorship election.
The close of voting followed a day of strong voter turnout, technical challenges and allegations of irregularities at some polling units, although security authorities described the overall situation as calm.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the Accord Party platform, cast his ballot in Ede after experiencing delays caused by difficulties with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and a faulty ink pad.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, also voted in Ikire and appealed to voters to remain peaceful as the electoral process progressed.
There were reports of BVAS authentication challenges at some polling units, including an incident involving Prof. Olayinka Ajala in Ife East, who was reportedly unable to vote after the system failed to recognise his face and thumbprint.
The election also recorded allegations of vote buying and other irregularities in some locations.
At the polling unit of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, in Ejigbo, voting was briefly disrupted after suspected thugs reportedly invaded the area shortly after he cast his ballot.
Despite the incidents, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Samuel Erale, said the situation remained calm and that no arrests had been made as of the time of his assessment.
With voting now ending at several polling units, attention has shifted to the sorting and counting of ballots, followed by the announcement of results at individual polling units.
The results will subsequently be collated at the various levels in accordance with the procedures of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
