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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
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| Security steep as Nigeria votes | Security steep as Nigeria votes |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Voting is underway in Nigeria's state polls after a late start in many parts. | Voting is underway in Nigeria's state polls after a late start in many parts. |
| It is the winners of this Saturday's election who will wield the most effect on daily life for the 140m inhabitants of Africa's most populous state. | It is the winners of this Saturday's election who will wield the most effect on daily life for the 140m inhabitants of Africa's most populous state. |
| The conduct and results of this vote at state level are being seen as a key test of the electoral process before the presidential vote next weekend. | The conduct and results of this vote at state level are being seen as a key test of the electoral process before the presidential vote next weekend. |
| 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 says, "there's a genuine fear of violence and rigging". | But in Port Harcourt - the largest city in the oil producing Niger Delta - the BBC's Alex Last says, "there's a 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 two police stations, killing seven policemen. | Early on Saturday, suspected militants torched two police stations, killing seven policemen. |
| Meanwhile in the commercial capital Lagos - an opposition stronghold - the streets and freeways are abnormally quiet and the military is out in full force manning checkpoints at key road junctions. | Meanwhile in the commercial capital Lagos - an opposition stronghold - the streets and freeways are abnormally quiet and the military is 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 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 |
| 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. |
| He says eager voters are standing around in long queues, under the sun, waiting to cast their ballot. | He says eager voters are standing around in long queues, under the sun, waiting to cast their ballot. |
| 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 already 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 already there have been pockets of violence in some parts of the country where election materials have been destroyed and electoral officers attacked. |
| Standing around | Standing around |
| In north-eastern Bauchi state an office block belonging to the Independent National Election Commission (Inet) was burnt by protestors in Gamawe village. | In north-eastern Bauchi state an office block belonging to the Independent National Election Commission (Inet) 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 Inet van was attacked and escorts were shot at by unknown gunmen. | And in the Asari-Toro local government area of Rivers State an Inet van was attacked and escorts were shot at by unknown gunmen. |
| These polls to decide Nigeria's state governors are an important indicator of how free and fair the presidential polls will be. | These polls to decide Nigeria's state governors are an important indicator of how free and fair the presidential polls will be. |
| They are also important as state governors can be extremely powerful - with budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states. | They are also important as state governors can be extremely powerful - with budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states. |