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Nigeria ballots 'not in country' Nigeria ballot papers 'not sent'
(40 minutes later)
Ballot papers have not yet arrived in Nigeria on the eve of the presidential elections, the election commission head has said. Ballot papers have not yet been sent to Nigeria's 120,000 polling stations, hours before voting is due to begin.
Maurice Iwu said the start of polling would be delayed by two hours and would now begin at 1000 (0900 GMT). Electoral commission head Maurice Iwu said the 60m ballot papers had been kept in South Africa until Friday to prevent any tampering.
Earlier, Mr Iwu said the start of polling would be delayed by two hours and would now begin at 1000 (0900 GMT).
On Friday evening, there were reports of heavy fighting between militants and police in Yenegoa, capital of Bayelsa.
The oil-rich state in the insecure Niger Delta is home to Goodluck Jonathan, the running-mate of the ruling PDP party presidential candidate.
It is understood the militants attacked the government house believing that was where the election material was being kept.
Eyewitnesses speak of residents fleeing the area as the scuffles continue.
Correspondents say it is hard to see how 60m ballot papers can be delivered across the vast country in time.Correspondents say it is hard to see how 60m ballot papers can be delivered across the vast country in time.
EU observers says they are concerned about the credibility of the vote after last weekend's flawed state elections.EU observers says they are concerned about the credibility of the vote after last weekend's flawed state elections.
It is understood the ballot papers are being shipped from South Africa.
Mr Iwu made the announcement during a news conference broadcast live on television, when he was asked about reports that a truck full of ballot papers already marked in favour of the ruling party had been seized.
NIGERIAN ELECTION 60m registered voters120,000 ballot boxes360 House of Representative seats to be elected109 Senate seats to be elected24 presidential candidates Main contenders:
  • Atiku Abubakar for the AC, 60-years-old
  • Muhammadu Buhari, ANPP, 64
  • Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, PDP, 55
    • Polls open 1000-1700 (local time) (0900-1600 GMT) To avoid a run-off, a candidate needs highest number of votes overall and at least 25% of votes in 24 of the 36 states Candidates' profiles Fears of chaos At the polls: Voters' log    		NIGERIAN ELECTION 60m registered voters120,000 ballot boxes360 House of Representative seats to be elected109 Senate seats to be elected24 presidential candidates Main contenders:
  • Atiku Abubakar for the AC, 60-years-old
  • Muhammadu Buhari, ANPP, 64
  • Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, PDP, 55
    • Polls open 1000-1700 (local time) (0900-1600 GMT) To avoid a run-off, a candidate needs highest number of votes overall and at least 25% of votes in 24 of the 36 states Candidates' profiles Fears of chaos At the polls: Voters' log
    "They couldn't have been captured because the ballot papers are arriving as we speak," he said. After decades of mismanagement, Nigeria has a very poor road network, making it a mammoth task to distribute the ballot papers - from the deserts of the north to the swamps and creeks of the oil-rich Niger Delta.
    After decades of mismanagement, Nigeria has a very poor road network, making it a mammoth task to distribute the ballot papers to some 120,000 polling stations, from the deserts of the north to the swamps and creeks of the oil-rich Niger Delta. The Independent National Election Commission (Inec) chairman said the 60m ballot papers had to be printed abroad because it was not possible to do this in Nigeria in just three days.
    The Independent National Election Commission (Inec) chairman said the 65m ballot papers had to be printed abroad because it was not possible to do this in Nigeria in just three days.
    However, the names of the presidential candidates are not on the papers - just the symbol of their political party.However, the names of the presidential candidates are not on the papers - just the symbol of their political party.
    On Monday, Vice-President Atiku Abubakar obtained a Supreme Court ruling that his name should be added to the presidential contest.On Monday, Vice-President Atiku Abubakar obtained a Supreme Court ruling that his name should be added to the presidential contest.
    Surprise holidaySurprise holiday
    After violence and fraud in last week's state elections, Mr Abubakar and other opposition candidates called for the presidential poll to be postponed.After violence and fraud in last week's state elections, Mr Abubakar and other opposition candidates called for the presidential poll to be postponed.
    He said he was only taking part in order to be able to challenge the results in court.He said he was only taking part in order to be able to challenge the results in court.
    The more thugs you have, the more votes you have Sha'aya'u Aminu, 23, student Voters' views Using texts to monitor polls At the polls: Reporters' log Nigeria fears raise oil prices President Olusegun Obasanjo has admitted there were flaws in the state polls and urged election officials to prevent rigging in the presidential vote.The more thugs you have, the more votes you have Sha'aya'u Aminu, 23, student Voters' views Using texts to monitor polls At the polls: Reporters' log Nigeria fears raise oil prices President Olusegun Obasanjo has admitted there were flaws in the state polls and urged election officials to prevent rigging in the presidential vote.
    During a national address, Mr Obasanjo said no election could be regarded as perfect, but said progress had been made since elections in 1959.During a national address, Mr Obasanjo said no election could be regarded as perfect, but said progress had been made since elections in 1959.
    "I appeal to our local and international observers to understand some of our limitations as a complex developing nation and not to exaggerate the negative and thereby throw out the baby with the bath water.""I appeal to our local and international observers to understand some of our limitations as a complex developing nation and not to exaggerate the negative and thereby throw out the baby with the bath water."
    The head of the European Union monitoring team has said there must be major improvements in the way the polls are conducted if they are to be credible.The head of the European Union monitoring team has said there must be major improvements in the way the polls are conducted if they are to be credible.
    Max van den Berg said there had been widespread fraud during last weekend's state elections.Max van den Berg said there had been widespread fraud during last weekend's state elections.
    He said more than a quarter of Nigeria's 36 states had registered false results.He said more than a quarter of Nigeria's 36 states had registered false results.
    Friday was declared a surprise public holiday, to allow people time to travel before the vote.Friday was declared a surprise public holiday, to allow people time to travel before the vote.
    Many people would have turned up to work to find their offices closed, as the announcement came late on Thursday night.Many people would have turned up to work to find their offices closed, as the announcement came late on Thursday night.
    Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and is one of the world's biggest oil producers. It is of key strategic interest to both the West and the growing economies of the East.Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and is one of the world's biggest oil producers. It is of key strategic interest to both the West and the growing economies of the East.
    But despite the country's huge oil wealth, tens of millions live in poverty without basic amenities.But despite the country's huge oil wealth, tens of millions live in poverty without basic amenities.