However, the security personnel assigned to the unit manged to safeguarded some of the ballot box while the remaining were carted away by the thugs.

Regarding the delay in counting, the Presiding Officer clarified that the voters themselves caused the holdup by insisting on casting their votes despite arriving late at the polling unit.

An eyewitness recounted the incident to DAILY POST, “I must be honest, these are thugs affiliated with the APC. This polling unit is under the jurisdiction of Accord. The large crowd here indicates a clear victory for Accord. This is the reason for the chaos. The police managed to secure some of the ballot papers, but the thugs absconded with the remainder.

“They are determined to undermine the will of the people. This reflects the nature of the federal government we have. The citizens have expressed their desire for the incumbent to remain in power, yet here we are, facing attempts to seize control of the state by any means necessary.”

Voters across Osun State on Saturday cast their ballots to elect the next occupant of the Bola Ige Government House for a four-year term.

A total of 15 political parties were on the ballot, with incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.

Two candidates, Adesina Adeyemi-Doro of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, had announced their withdrawal from the election.

While Adeyemi-Doro endorsed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Oyebamiji, Adewale declared support for Adeleke. However, both APGA and APM remain on the ballot.

DAILY POST had earlier reported that Adeleke secured victory at his polling unit, with the Accord Party winning Polling Unit 026, Ward 5, in Osogbo Local Government Area.

According to the result declared by INEC officials, Accord polled 57 votes, while APC scored 43 votes.

Results from other polling units across the state have continued to trickle in as collation progresses.

The election was, however, marred by reports of intimidation, vote-buying and other forms of electoral violence in some areas, although voting proceeded successfully in many parts of the state.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, came second with 85 votes, while the African Democratic Congress, ADC, received 10 votes. Other political parties recorded only marginal votes.

The result adds to a series of early victories recorded by Accord in the election.

Earlier, the party also won at the polling unit of former Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where it secured 125 votes.

At the same polling unit, APC garnered 85 votes, while ADC polled five votes.

INEC has continued to upload results to the IReV portal as collation progresses across the state.