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Voting extended in Nigeria polls Confusion mars Nigeria election
(about 2 hours later)
Voting in state elections in Nigeria have been extended after many polling stations opened hours late, causing chaos and frustration for voters. State elections in Nigeria have been marred by late opening of polling stations, missing ballot papers and in some areas violence and intimidation.
Electoral chief Maurice Iwo assured Nigerians that "people who are already at the polling stations will be allowed to vote, no matter how late". Voting was extended way past the deadline with officials saying people could vote "no matter how late".
Many busy centres were set to stay open into the evening to allow people to cast their ballots.
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. President Olusegun Obasanjo said he thought polling had gone relatively well but the opposition said there were widespread irregularities and fraud.
State governors can be extremely powerful - with budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states. The outcome of Saturday's election for governors and state legislatures is as important to many Nigerians as the presidential poll.
In pics: Nigerian state polls Voters disappointedIn pics: Nigerian state polls Voters disappointed
These polls are also an important indicator of how free and fair the presidential polls will be. State governors can be extremely powerful, controlling budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states.
Tight security was in operation amid fears of violence instigated by gangs sponsored by rival politicians. The poll was being seen as an important indicator of how free and fair the presidential polls will be.
President Olusegun Obasanjo said fraud or violence would not be tolerated. Nigerians lined up in the sun for hours to cast their ballots, with many having to put up with the late arrival of election officials, inadequate voting materials, and in some cases intimidation by youths supporting one party or another.
'Genuine fear' Station stormed
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. President Obasanjo had said that fraud or violence would not be tolerated.
HAVE YOUR SAY Despite all the odds associated with this election, Nigerians must play their part and exercise their rights Adeleye Adenola, Australia class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5967&edition=2&ttl=20070404114051">Are you voting? 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 vote rigging.
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 that 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 ballot box.
Early on Saturday, suspected militants torched three police stations, killing seven policemen.Early on Saturday, suspected militants torched three police stations, killing seven policemen.
Meanwhile in the commercial capital Lagos - an opposition stronghold - the streets were abnormally quiet and the military was out in full force manning checkpoints at key road junctions. The biggest issue in the elections is the future of my children, the future of Nigeria's children Eunice Folorunso class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_nigeria_election_voices/html/1.stm">Election voices
In the commercial capital, Lagos, an opposition stronghold, the streets 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 was at a polling station in the Rukuba area of Jos in central Nigeria and saw eager people queuing to vote from early on Saturday.The BBC News website's Senan Murray was at a polling station in the Rukuba area of Jos in central Nigeria and saw eager people queuing to vote from early on Saturday.
The biggest issue in the elections is the future of my children, the future of Nigeria's children Eunice Folorunso Election voices
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. In some areas of Rivers State and Delta, voting had not begun by mid-afternoon, Reuters reported.
In north-eastern Bauchi state, an office block belonging to the Independent National Election Commission (Inec) was burnt by protestors in Gamawe village. Electoral chief Maurice Iwo assured Nigerians that "people who are already at the polling stations will be allowed to vote, no matter how late".
Resident election commissioner, Aniedi Abasi-Ikiowar told our correspondent that the destruction of the office building would not affect voting in the area. Many busy centres were staying opening into the evening to allow people to cast their ballots.
And in the Asari-Toro local government area of Rivers State an Inec van was attacked and escorts were shot at by unknown gunmen. There were pockets of violence in some other parts of the country where election materials were destroyed and electoral officers attacked.