By Taiwo Scholarstica
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uploaded 2,048 results from the 2,445 polling units in the Ekiti State governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as of 6:41 p.m. on Saturday.
This figure represents 83.7 percent of the total polling unit results and marks a significant increase from the 35.5 percent recorded about 30 minutes earlier at 6:12 p.m.
The ongoing upload reflects the steady progress of the election result transmission process as collation continues across the state.
A total of 14 candidates are contesting the off-cycle governorship election.
The incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is seeking a second term in office ahead of the expiration of his first mandate in October.
Among his major challengers are Oluwole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwadare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Oyebanji Olajuyin of the Labour Party (LP), and Blessing Abegunde of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
The race also features Samuel Akande of the African Action Congress (AAC), Ayodeji Ojo of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Opeyemi Felegan of the Accord Party, Joseph Anifowose of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Bidemi Awogbemi of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Olaniyi Ayodele of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Victor Adetunji of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
INEC has continued to update the portal as results arrive from various polling units and collation centers across the state.
The election is being closely monitored by political parties, observers, and residents, with expectations that the remaining results will be uploaded and collated in the coming hours before the final declaration of the winner.