[PHOTOS] Ol Kalou residents turn out in large numbers to vote

Long queues formed at polling stations across Ol Kalou Constituency on Thursday as voters turned out in large numbers to elect a new MP in a by-election that has attracted national political attention.

By the time polling stations opened at 6 am, hundreds of voters had already assembled outside schools and other polling centres, eager to cast their ballots before proceeding with their daily activities.

As voting got underway, queues snaked across school compounds and along access roads, reflecting the high level of public interest in the contest.

Despite the large turnout, voting progressed in an orderly manner, with election officials processing voters steadily.

Those in the queues waited patiently for their turn, while priority was given to elderly persons, expectant mothers and people living with disabilities, who were allowed to vote immediately upon arrival in line with electoral guidelines.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said polling would continue until 5 pm and assured voters that anyone in the queue by the official closing time would still be allowed to cast their ballot.

The contest has been framed as a key political battle between President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the opposition alliance led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, with both sides investing heavily in campaigns and mobilisation.