This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6557371.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
First results due in Nigeria poll Street protests over Nigeria poll
(about 4 hours later)
Initial results are expected shortly from Nigeria's regional elections, held on Saturday but marred by violence and voter intimidation. Opposition supporters took to the streets in parts of Nigeria as partial results from Saturday's regional polls showed the ruling party ahead.
At least 21 people were killed in polling-day attacks across the country. In Bauchi in the north, demonstrators blocked the road to an election office. Other incidents were also reported.
The vote was also affected by the late opening of polling stations and reports of missing ballot papers. The polls, for the country's 36 state governors and assemblies, were marred by reported irregularities and violence which left more than 20 people dead.
But election officials reported a high voter turnout in the state polls, which are seen as a key test ahead of next weekend's presidential vote. They were seen as a key test ahead of next weekend's presidential vote.
Fraud claims But the outcome of the regional polls is as important to many Nigerians as the presidential election.
Nigerian police said at least 21 people had died in election-related incidents - including an unspecified number of police officers. But other reports put the toll higher.
The head of the European Union mission, Max van den Berg, said an electoral commission office had been burnt down.
President Olusegun Obasanjo said he thought polling had gone relatively well but the opposition said there were widespread irregularities and fraud.
In pics: Nigerian state polls Voters disappointed
The outcome of the election for governors and state legislatures is as important to many Nigerians as the presidential poll.
State governors can be extremely powerful, controlling budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states.State governors can be extremely powerful, controlling budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states.
The poll was also an important indicator of how free and fair the presidential polls will be. 'Protect our votes'
Stolen votes Partial results from election officials showed that the People's Democratic People (PDP) had won in seven of the nine states declared.
President Obasanjo had said that fraud or violence would not be tolerated. class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6555755.stm">In pics: Nigerian state polls class="" href="/1/hi/puffbox/promo/regular/6556295.inc">Voters disappointed
In Port Harcourt - the largest city in the oil producing Niger Delta - the BBC's Alex Last saw young men storming a polling station and running off with ballot papers. President Olusegun Obasanjo, who heads the PDP, said he thought polling had gone relatively well, but the opposition said there were widespread irregularities and fraud.
Problems included polling stations that opened late, intimidation and the theft of ballot boxes, witnesses said.
The BBC's Alex Last saw men storming a polling station and leaving with ballot papers in the southern city of Port Harcourt.
There were also reports of attacks on police stations and election officials.
As results began coming in, street disturbances were reported.
The biggest issue in the elections is the future of my children, the future of Nigeria's children Eunice Folorunso Election voicesThe biggest issue in the elections is the future of my children, the future of Nigeria's children Eunice Folorunso Election voices
Early on Saturday, suspected militants torched three police stations, reportedly killing seven policemen. "We are trying to protect our votes," said a man blocking the road in Bauchi.
There were pockets of violence in some other parts of the country, where election materials were destroyed and electoral officers attacked. "We know that Mallam (the opposition candidate) has won the election. We are here because we don't want the results to be tampered with," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
Other incidents were reported, including in the oil-rich Delta state, where the ruling party was named the winner. Armed youths blocked roads and burned houses, Reuters said.
The tension is rising, says the BBC's David Bamford in Abuja, and with presidential and parliamentary elections due next Saturday, there is not likely to be much relief for the authorities.
Nigerian police said at least 21 people had died in election-related incidents, but other reports put the toll far higher.
Up to 70 people were also killed in violence during pre-election campaigning, human rights groups say.Up to 70 people were also killed in violence during pre-election campaigning, human rights groups say.