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| Voting extended in Nigeria polls | Voting extended in Nigeria polls |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Voting has been extended across Nigeria due to the late opening of polling stations in many parts of the country. | Voting has been extended across Nigeria due to the late opening of polling stations in many parts of the country. |
| Electoral chief Maurice Iwo assured Nigerians that "people who are already at the polling stations will be allowed to vote, no matter how late". | Electoral chief Maurice Iwo assured Nigerians that "people who are already at the polling stations will be allowed to vote, no matter how late". |
| There were scenes of chaos in many areas as polls opened several hours late. Many busy centres are now set to stay open into the evening. | There were scenes of chaos in many areas as polls opened several hours late. Many busy centres are now set to stay open into the evening. |
| The polls are a key test ahead of next weekend's presidential elections. | The polls are a key test ahead of next weekend's presidential elections. |
| The winners of this Saturday's election will have the greatest effect on daily life for the 140m inhabitants of Africa's most populous state. | The winners of this Saturday's election will have the greatest effect on daily life for the 140m inhabitants of Africa's most populous state. |
| State governors can be extremely powerful - with budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states. | State governors can be extremely powerful - with budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states. |
| In pics: Nigerian state polls | In pics: Nigerian state polls |
| These polls are also an important indicator of how free and fair the presidential polls will be. | These polls are also an important indicator of how free and fair the presidential polls will be. |
| Tight security is in operation amid fears of violence instigated by gangs sponsored by rival politicians. | Tight security is in operation amid fears of violence instigated by gangs sponsored by rival politicians. |
| President Olusegun Obasanjo says fraud or violence will not be tolerated. | President Olusegun Obasanjo says fraud or violence will not be tolerated. |
| 'Genuine fear' | 'Genuine fear' |
| But in Port Harcourt - the largest city in the oil producing Niger Delta - the BBC's Alex Last said there was genuine fear of violence and rigging. | But in Port Harcourt - the largest city in the oil producing Niger Delta - the BBC's Alex Last said there was genuine fear of violence and rigging. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Despite all the odds associated with this election, Nigerians must play their part and exercise their rights Adeleye Adenola, Australia Are you voting? | HAVE YOUR SAY Despite all the odds associated with this election, Nigerians must play their part and exercise their rights Adeleye Adenola, Australia Are you voting? |
| Our correspondent was at one polling station which had only been open for a few minutes when a gang of young men on motorcycles stormed it and made off with the ballot papers and the ballot box. | Our correspondent was at one polling station which had only been open for a few minutes when a gang of young men on motorcycles stormed it and made off with the ballot papers and the ballot box. |
| Early on Saturday, suspected militants torched three police stations, killing seven policemen. | |
| Meanwhile in the commercial capital Lagos - an opposition stronghold - the streets and freeways were abnormally quiet and the military was out in full force manning checkpoints at key road junctions. | Meanwhile in the commercial capital Lagos - an opposition stronghold - the streets and freeways were abnormally quiet and the military was out in full force manning checkpoints at key road junctions. |
| Many polling stations in different parts of the country opened several hours late. | Many polling stations in different parts of the country opened several hours late. |
| The BBC News website's Senan Murray is at a polling station in the Rukuba area of Jos in central Nigeria. | The BBC News website's Senan Murray is at a polling station in the Rukuba area of Jos in central Nigeria. |
| The biggest issue in the elections is the future of my children, the future of Nigeria's children Eunice Folorunso Election voices | The biggest issue in the elections is the future of my children, the future of Nigeria's children Eunice Folorunso Election voices |
| He says eager voters stood around waiting to vote from early on Saturday morning. | He says eager voters stood around waiting to vote from early on Saturday morning. |
| Electoral officers only turned up just before midday to open the polling station. | Electoral officers only turned up just before midday to open the polling station. |
| Voter Yakubu Ropshak, 27, said: "We are waiting and we are not going anywhere until we vote." | Voter Yakubu Ropshak, 27, said: "We are waiting and we are not going anywhere until we vote." |
| Our correspondent says that there have been pockets of violence in some parts of the country where election materials have been destroyed and electoral officers attacked. | Our correspondent says that there have been pockets of violence in some parts of the country where election materials have been destroyed and electoral officers attacked. |
| In north-eastern Bauchi state an office block belonging to the Independent National Election Commission (Inec) was burnt by protestors in Gamawe village. | |
| Resident election commissioner, Aniedi Abasi-Ikiowar told our correspondent that the destruction of the office building would not affect voting in the area. | Resident election commissioner, Aniedi Abasi-Ikiowar told our correspondent that the destruction of the office building would not affect voting in the area. |
| And in the Asari-Toro local government area of Rivers State an Inec van was attacked and escorts were shot at by unknown gunmen. |