By Opeyemi Adelakun
Despite a restriction on movement imposed by security authorities ahead of the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election, residents and commercial transport operators in parts of the district were seen moving freely on Saturday.
The Ondo State Police Command had directed residents to restrict human and vehicular movement between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of the election across the senatorial district.
However, observations in Okitipupa Local Government Area showed that many residents continued with their daily activities, while businesses and shops remained open.
Commercial drivers and motorcycle operators were also seen transporting passengers across various locations, with several transport parks operating despite the restriction order.
The by-election is being conducted across six local government areas comprising Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.
Some residents cited economic realities as the reason for disregarding the restriction. A traveller heading to Akure said she could not afford to miss an important business engagement, while a commercial driver noted that rising living costs made it difficult to suspend work for the day.
Meanwhile, electoral activities commenced smoothly in several polling units visited in Okitipupa, with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arriving early alongside sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.
Security personnel were also deployed to polling centres, where voters were seen queuing for accreditation and voting.
An INEC ad hoc staff member said election officials arrived at the polling unit as early as 7 a.m. and completed the necessary preparations ahead of voting.
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