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Delays overshadow Nigerian poll Nigerian elections hit by delays
(20 minutes later)
Landmark Nigerian presidential polls have begun after delays getting ballot papers to the 120,000 polling stations. Landmark Nigerian presidential polls have begun shakily after problems in getting recently printed ballot papers to the 120,000 polling stations.
Voting failed to begin in many parts of the country as scheduled, even though the start was delayed by two hours. Voting failed to begin in much of the country as scheduled, even though the start was delayed by two hours.
Printing issues meant voting papers for the landmark poll did not arrive from South Africa until Friday evening.Printing issues meant voting papers for the landmark poll did not arrive from South Africa until Friday evening.
An overnight attack on election HQ in Abuja failed when a petrol tanker laden with detonators failed to explode after being rolled towards its target. An overnight attack on election HQ in Abuja failed when a petrol tanker laden with detonators failed to explode.
It appears even the president's home is subject to electricity cuts Sola Odunfa in Abeokuta At the polls: Reporters' logIt appears even the president's home is subject to electricity cuts Sola Odunfa in Abeokuta At the polls: Reporters' log
Voting began on time in Katsina, home of two of the main presidential candidates, but in parts of the capital, Abuja, there was no sign of election material or officials, despite lines of people waiting to vote. Voting began on time in some parts of Katsina, home of two of the main presidential candidates, but across much of the capital, Abuja, there was no sign of election material or officials, despite lines of people waiting to vote.
Similar problems were being reported from the southern cities of Lagos and Port Harcourt. Similar problems were being reported in the southern city of Lagos and across the Niger Delta.
Youths have burnt down several shacks in Katsina, expressing frustration and anger at problems in getting election materials there, reports the BBC's Nigeria correspondent Alex Last.
The election should result in the first transfer of power between civilian presidents there since independence.The election should result in the first transfer of power between civilian presidents there since independence.
But the run-up to the poll has been marred by violence - more of which broke out on Friday night.But the run-up to the poll has been marred by violence - more of which broke out on Friday night.
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    		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
    Police say a petrol tanker laden with gas cylinders was used in the failed attack on the electoral commission's headquarters, from which the elections are being co-ordinated.Police say a petrol tanker laden with gas cylinders was used in the failed attack on the electoral commission's headquarters, from which the elections are being co-ordinated.
    The attackers attempted to roll the unmanned tanker into the building, but the tanker missed its target crashed into a telegraph pole and came to a halt.The attackers attempted to roll the unmanned tanker into the building, but the tanker missed its target crashed into a telegraph pole and came to a halt.
    Though there was a small fire on board, which has since been extinguished, the detonators failed to trigger a large explosion.Though there was a small fire on board, which has since been extinguished, the detonators failed to trigger a large explosion.
    Polling delayPolling delay
    There have been fears for the credibility of the parliamentary and presidential polls after allegations of widespread fraud in last weekend's state elections.There have been fears for the credibility of the parliamentary and presidential polls after allegations of widespread fraud in last weekend's state elections.
    Outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo said despite flaws, Nigeria could achieve a peaceful and democratic handover of power.Outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo said despite flaws, Nigeria could achieve a peaceful and democratic handover of power.
    Arrival of voting material in time is good Idris Dangalan in Kano At the polls: Voters' logArrival of voting material in time is good Idris Dangalan in Kano At the polls: Voters' log
    He urged aggrieved candidates and their supporters to "explore all avenues for seeking redress" rather than resorting to "jungle justice" in the aftermath of the vote.He urged aggrieved candidates and their supporters to "explore all avenues for seeking redress" rather than resorting to "jungle justice" in the aftermath of the vote.
    The Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) delayed polling by two hours after they reprinted the ballot papers to include the Vice-President Atiku Abubakar following a court ruling on Monday.The Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) delayed polling by two hours after they reprinted the ballot papers to include the Vice-President Atiku Abubakar following a court ruling on Monday.
    Mr Abubakar is considered one of the leading contenders for the presidency, alongside Umaru Yar'Adua of the ruling People's Democratic Party and former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.Mr Abubakar is considered one of the leading contenders for the presidency, alongside Umaru Yar'Adua of the ruling People's Democratic Party and former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.
    "We received the ballot papers for presidential and National Assembly elections at about 1800 (1700 GMT) today," Kabiru Ahmed, electoral commissioner for Abuja, told the BBC on Friday."We received the ballot papers for presidential and National Assembly elections at about 1800 (1700 GMT) today," Kabiru Ahmed, electoral commissioner for Abuja, told the BBC on Friday.
    However, it is not clear how Inec planned to distribute the materials across the vast country with a very poor road network and unreliable airport facilities, says the BBC's Senan Murray.However, it is not clear how Inec planned to distribute the materials across the vast country with a very poor road network and unreliable airport facilities, says the BBC's Senan Murray.
    Streets 'deserted'Streets 'deserted'
    EU observers say they are concerned about the credibility of the vote after last weekend's flawed state elections.EU observers say they are concerned about the credibility of the vote after last weekend's flawed state elections.
    Unrest before and after those polls left up to 50 people dead.Unrest before and after those polls left up to 50 people dead.
    The more thugs you have, the more votes you have Sha'aya'u Aminu, 23, student Voters' views Using texts to monitor polls Nigeria fears raise oil pricesThe more thugs you have, the more votes you have Sha'aya'u Aminu, 23, student Voters' views Using texts to monitor polls Nigeria fears raise oil prices
    On Friday evening further violence broke out, when militants attacked the state government house in Bayelsa state in the insecure Niger Delta.On Friday evening further violence broke out, when militants attacked the state government house in Bayelsa state in the insecure Niger Delta.
    The state governor, Goodluck Jonathan, who is also the ruling party's candidate to be vice-president, was caught up in the clashes but was unhurt, AFP news agency reported.The state governor, Goodluck Jonathan, who is also the ruling party's candidate to be vice-president, was caught up in the clashes but was unhurt, AFP news agency reported.
    The BBC's Abdullahi Kaura says people he has spoken to in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa, say the streets are deserted and heavy machine gunfire and explosions have been heard.The BBC's Abdullahi Kaura says people he has spoken to in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa, say the streets are deserted and heavy machine gunfire and explosions have been heard.
    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.But despite the country's huge oil wealth, tens of millions live in poverty.
    Send us your voting experiences by texting +44 77 86 20 50 75. Don't forget to tell us your name and where you are. Send us your voting experiences by texting +44 77 86 20 50 75. Don't forget to tell us your name and where you are.