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PDP wins Nigerian state election PDP wins Nigerian state election
(about 2 hours later)
Nigeria's governing People's Democratic Party (PDP) has narrowly won a hotly-disputed re-run poll for the post of governor in south-western Ekiti state. Nigeria's governing People's Democratic Party (PDP) has narrowly won a disputed re-run election for the post of governor in south-western Ekiti state.
Turnout was said to be low, amid tight security. An earlier re-run of the vote last week crumbled amid claims of fraud, violence and intimidation.Turnout was said to be low, amid tight security. An earlier re-run of the vote last week crumbled amid claims of fraud, violence and intimidation.
Our correspondent says the result is likely to be challenged as the state is seen as an opposition stronghold. Furious opposition leaders cried foul and vowed to challenge the result in a state they regard as a stronghold.
The original poll two years ago was won by the candidate of the governing PDP.The original poll two years ago was won by the candidate of the governing PDP.
But Segun Oni was thrown out of office and the result was overturned amid allegations of mass vote fraud. But Segun Oni was thrown out of office and the result overturned as it became mired in allegations of mass vote fraud.
Election rageElection rage
The BBC's Caroline Duffield, in the region, says the latest outcome means he will now return to office.The BBC's Caroline Duffield, in the region, says the latest outcome means he will now return to office.
Heavily-armed police and soldiers were out in force in the state capital of Oye Ekiti, where Tuesday's vote took place.Heavily-armed police and soldiers were out in force in the state capital of Oye Ekiti, where Tuesday's vote took place.
Our correspondent says opposition supporters were enraged as the electoral commissioner declared victory for the PDP by a narrow margin 4,000 votes. Our correspondent says opposition supporters were enraged as the electoral commissioner declared victory for the PDP by a slender margin of 4,000 votes.
About 40 furious men among those crammed into the hall shouted the commissioner down. Several dozen men in the crowded hall shouted the commissioner down.
She was supposed to announce poll results last week after the initial re-run but refused to do so, alleging fraud, and temporarily went into hiding. Opposition Action Congress governorship candidate Kayode Fayemi said later the result was a "travesty" and his party would challenge it in court.
"Our ballot boxes were snatched in daylight, our monitors were beaten up," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
Our correspondent says both parties have traded accusations of hiring thugs to intimidate people, bribing election officials and rigging votes.
The electoral commissioner was supposed to announce poll results last week after the initial re-run but refused to do so, alleging fraud, and temporarily went into hiding.
Her actions sparked angry demonstrations, involving women marching half-naked in the streets in anger.Her actions sparked angry demonstrations, involving women marching half-naked in the streets in anger.
Our correspondent says this election too was tainted by claims that both parties hired thugs to intimidate people, bribed election officials and rigged votes.
The poll was seen as strategically important for both parties.The poll was seen as strategically important for both parties.
Our correspondent says the PDP had hoped to prevent the opposition Action Congress winning a stronghold that could unite with the east of the country to challenge the governing party. Our correspondent says the PDP had hoped to prevent Action Congress winning a stronghold that could unite with the east of the country to challenge the governing party.
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has said the situation in Ekiti underlines the need for urgent reform of Nigeria's election system, with the country's next general elections looming in 2011.Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has said the situation in Ekiti underlines the need for urgent reform of Nigeria's election system, with the country's next general elections looming in 2011.