Lagos LG Polls: Late Arrival of Party Agents Causes Delays in Agboyi-Ketu

The conduct of the ongoing Local Government elections in Lagos State has been met with early delays in parts of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area, primarily attributed to the late arrival of party agents at several polling units. This development, observed as voting commenced today, Saturday, July 12, 2025, echoes recurring challenges in grassroots electoral processes.

Reports from observers in Agboyi-Ketu indicated that as of 9:00 AM, an hour after the official 8:00 AM commencement time for polling, several units were yet to begin accreditation and voting. Electoral officials from the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) were often seen on ground, ready to proceed, but were reportedly awaiting the presence of agents from various political parties.

Party agents play a crucial role in the electoral process, acting as representatives of political parties and their candidates. Their presence is often required for the accreditation of voters, monitoring the voting process, and, critically, witnessing and signing off on result sheets at the close of polls. Their absence can delay the commencement of voting as electoral guidelines sometimes stipulate their presence for transparency and accountability.

Voters who had arrived early at their respective polling units in Agboyi-Ketu expressed frustration over the initial hitches. “I’ve been here since 8 AM, but they said we have to wait for the party agents,” said Mrs. Kemi Adebayo, a resident at a polling unit in Agboyi Ward. “It’s a bit disappointing, but we hope they sort it out quickly so we can cast our votes.”

While the delays appeared to be localized to specific units, the situation in Agboyi-Ketu highlights a persistent challenge in Nigerian elections, particularly at the local government level, where party agents may sometimes be deployed late or be insufficient in number across all units. This often impacts voter turnout and the overall efficiency of the polling exercise.

LASIEC had assured Lagosians of a smooth and credible election, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urging widespread participation. Despite the early hiccups in areas like Agboyi-Ketu, security agencies maintained a robust presence across the state to ensure the peaceful conduct of the polls, which are expected to shape leadership at the grassroots for the next four years. Efforts were reportedly underway to ensure all necessary personnel, including party agents, were at their designated polling units to allow for the full commencement of voting.