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Polls stay open late in Nigeria Violence mars Nigeria elections
(about 4 hours later)
Nigeria's landmark presidential poll will not go into a second day despite long delays in getting materials to polling stations, say officials. Violence and widespread disruption have marred presidential and parliamentary elections being held in Nigeria.
Polls officially closed at 1700 (1600 GMT) but people still queuing would be able to vote, election commission official Philip Umeadi told the BBC. Many of the 120,000 polling stations failed to open for hours and polling was extended in many places beyond the official closing time.
Many of the 120,000 polling stations remained shut hours after polls opened. There were a number of killings, thefts of ballot boxes and an attempt to blow up the election headquarters.
Turnout was low in many areas and there were several violent incidents, notably an attempt to blow up the election HQ. Twenty-four candidates are seeking to replace outgoing President Obasanjo in Africa's most-populous nation.
The European observer team strongly criticised some aspects of the voting saying there had been no improvements on last weekend's state elections which were marred by fraud. The presidential poll is running alongside elections for the National Assembly and Senate.
The election should result in the first transfer of power between civilian presidents since independence - but BBC reporters across Africa's most populous country reported numerous problems.
  • In the central state of Nassarawa, close to the capital, Abuja, a number of policemen were killed while escorting election officials who were delivering ballot boxes.
All the major highways were turned into football pitches Fidelis Mbah in Lagos At the polls: Reporters' logAll the major highways were turned into football pitches Fidelis Mbah in Lagos At the polls: Reporters' log
  • There were delays at many polling stations in Abuja, with the late arrival of election materials or officials, despite queues of people waiting to vote.
    		• European Union election observer Max van den Berg said he feared there may not be an improvement on last week's regional polls, which were marred by 50 deaths and widespread fraud.
  • In the northern state of Katsina, four people were shot dead, and youths burned down shacks when officials announced that only half the ballot papers had arrived. Several ballot boxes were stolen.
    		• However, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Maurice Iwu, said that is was a case of "so far so good".
  • Violence and long voting delays occured in the Niger Delta.
    		• "We are pleased with the outcome of the polls. Taking in the big picture, Nigerians really demonstrated their commitment to democracy," Professor Iwu said.
  • Few polling stations opened in north-eastern and eastern states in the morning.
    		•  All polling stations have now closed but the BBC's David Bamford in Abuja says tension remains high overnight.
  • A low turnout was reported in Lagos in the south, with some local voting cancelled after details on ballot papers were missing.
    		• Election officials hope to publish results by late on Monday.
    Violence The new government is scheduled to take power on 29 May.
    The run-up to the poll was marred by violence - more of which broke out on Friday night. Cutlasses
    The officials had struggled to deliver some of the 60m ballot papers to stations ahead of opening time.
    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    		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
    Police said a petrol tanker laden with gas cylinders was used in the failed attack on the electoral commission's headquarters in Abuja. In the central state of Nassarawa, close to the capital, Abuja, a number of policeman were killed while escorting election officials with the papers.
    The attackers attempted to roll the unmanned tanker into the building, but the vehicle missed its target, crashed into a lamp post and came to a halt. Police fired on crowds in the northern state of Katsina, the home state of both the governing party candidate, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and one of his main opponents, Muhammadu Buhari.
    Although there was a small fire on board, the detonators failed to trigger a large explosion. Four people were killed in clashes there after only half the voting papers arrived.
    Violence was also reported in Bayelsa in the oil-rich south, the scene on Friday evening of a possible assassination attempt by militants on the state governor and ruling party's vice-presidential candidate Goodluck Jonathan. In nearby Kano, men armed with cutlasses and guns stole ballot boxes while in Onde state, in the south-west, men disguised as policemen abducted election officials.
    Polling delay The most audacious attempt to disrupt polling was on Friday when a petrol tanker laden with gas cylinders was used in the failed attack on the electoral commission's headquarters in Abuja.
    Outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo said despite flaws, Nigeria could achieve a peaceful and democratic handover of power. The attackers tried to roll the unmanned tanker into the building, but the vehicle missed its target, crashed into a lamp post and came to a halt.
    Street protest
    President Obasanjo said despite flaws, Nigeria could achieve a peaceful and democratic handover of power.
    The more thugs you have, the more votes you have Sha'aya'u Aminu, 23, student Voters' viewsThe more thugs you have, the more votes you have Sha'aya'u Aminu, 23, student Voters' views
    Speaking after voting, he said that "those who do not want these elections to take place, they have left no stone unturned to make sure it does not hold".Speaking after voting, he said that "those who do not want these elections to take place, they have left no stone unturned to make sure it does not hold".
    Unrest before and after last week's polls left up to 50 people dead. Mr Buhari said no-one should claim victory because there were so many irregularities in polling.
    In the presidential election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) delayed polling by two hours after they reprinted some 60m ballot papers to include Vice-President Atiku Abubakar following a court ruling on Monday. They arrived from South Africa on Friday evening. He said he would call his supporters out on to the streets if the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared victory.
    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. Rival candidate Atiku Abubakar had even before the vote said he would go to court as soon as the PDP was declared the winner.
    The voting in Nasarawa State has been very peaceful Dr Samuel Jimba in Keffi class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6577091.stm">At the polls: Voters' log His Action Congress party said after polling: "In every state where the party has a large followership, [the election commission] deliberately ensured inadequate supply of voting materials."
    The voting in Nassarawa State has been very peaceful Dr Samuel Jimba in Keffi At the polls: Voters' log
    Our correspondent says the comments show Nigeria could be in for some political turbulence as it seeks for the first time to replace one elected civilian head of state with another.
    Nigeria 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 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.