Low turnout of voters characterised the elections into chairmanship and councillorship seats in the 16 local government areas of the western Nigerian state of Ekiti on Saturday, although monitors said the poll was generally peaceful.

In Ikole LG, accreditation of voters began as early as possible in some polling units visited at Oke-Ijebu, Ijesa-Isu road, Bolorunduro, Isaba, Otunja and Asin.

Eligible voters were seen at various polling units waiting to be attended to by officials of state electoral body.

It was observed in some of these polling units such as polling Unit 014 at Ward 05, Ijesa-Isu road, that majority of the voters were women and young ladies.

Security operatives were present in all the election venues while streets and major roads in Ikole were deserted as vehicular movement was restricted.

Elections have been concluded in almost all the polling units visited at exactly 1. 30 p.m. while few voters had yet to vote in other polling units.

Mr Temitope Adeniyi, who claimed to be a chieftain of KOWA party in Ikole Ekiti, described the election as the most peaceful poll ever conducted in the area.

Adeniyi commended all the people that participated in the election for their commitment and belief in democratic government at the local level.

He also lauded effort of the present administration in the state for making the conduct of the election a reality in spite of paucity of funds.

On the low turnout of voters, Adeniyi attributed it to non-participation of some political parties in the election that would usher in elected representatives at the local government level.

He, however, said that a reasonable number of electorate took part in the election, saying the boycott by some parties would not affect the outcome or credibility of the poll.