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'Flawed' Nigeria poll results due 'Flawed' Nigeria poll results due
(30 minutes later)
Results from Nigeria's widely criticised elections are due to be announced later, amid tight security at the election offices in the capital.Results from Nigeria's widely criticised elections are due to be announced later, amid tight security at the election offices in the capital.
Ruling party presidential candidate Umaru Yar'Adua is reported to have taken a commanding lead so far.Ruling party presidential candidate Umaru Yar'Adua is reported to have taken a commanding lead so far.
But the two main opposition candidates have told their supporters to reject the results and want a re-run.But the two main opposition candidates have told their supporters to reject the results and want a re-run.
Foreign observers said there were serious shortcomings, with cases of ballot-box stuffing and violence.Foreign observers said there were serious shortcomings, with cases of ballot-box stuffing and violence.
Vice-president turned opposition leader Atiku Abubakar, and Muhammadu Buhari, said the governing People's Democratic Party (PDP) had rigged the elections.Vice-president turned opposition leader Atiku Abubakar, and Muhammadu Buhari, said the governing People's Democratic Party (PDP) had rigged the elections.
Twenty-four candidates are hoping to succeed President Olusegun Obasanjo as Africa's most populous nation seeks for the first time to replace one elected civilian head with another.Twenty-four candidates are hoping to succeed President Olusegun Obasanjo as Africa's most populous nation seeks for the first time to replace one elected civilian head with another.
'Widespread abuses''Widespread abuses'
Early results show Mr Yar'Adua won by a landslide in the oil-rich Niger Delta, where some of the worst abuses have been reported.Early results show Mr Yar'Adua won by a landslide in the oil-rich Niger Delta, where some of the worst abuses have been reported.
"It is likely we will call our supporters as from Monday to come out and protest if the PDP announce they have won the election," Mr Buhari told Reuters news agency."It is likely we will call our supporters as from Monday to come out and protest if the PDP announce they have won the election," Mr Buhari told Reuters news agency.
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
    • 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 What observers say Nigeria's biggest election monitoring group said the presidential poll was so flawed that it should be scrapped and held again.    		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
    • 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 What observers say Nigeria's biggest election monitoring group said the presidential poll was so flawed that it should be scrapped and held again.
    "In many parts of the country elections did not start on time or did not start at all," said Transition Monitoring Group chief Innocent Chukwuma."In many parts of the country elections did not start on time or did not start at all," said Transition Monitoring Group chief Innocent Chukwuma.
    European Union observers have spoken of widespread abuses and violence.European Union observers have spoken of widespread abuses and violence.
    The Commonwealth mission said there had been some improvements compared to last week's state elections but this poll still had "serious shortcomings".
    But election commissioner Maurice Iwu said the election had been a success that would be remembered for generations.But election commissioner Maurice Iwu said the election had been a success that would be remembered for generations.
    In some states, voting carried on into Sunday despite official announcements that this would not happen.In some states, voting carried on into Sunday despite official announcements that this would not happen.
    A Reuters correspondent saw election officials in southern Bayelsa state stuffing dozens of completed votes into ballot boxes. Voter Manta Aondona Donaman told the BBC News website that election material was delivered late to his polling station in the central Benue Sate, after most people had gone home.
    A young man, who gave his name as James, complained he had thumb-printed 50 ballots for the PDP but had not been paid, Reuters reports. "Thugs were then left alone to vote and each one of them voted for the PDP over and over as many times as the ballot papers were available," he said.
    He said he tried to vote for an opposition candidate but the ballot paper was ripped from his hand.
    CutlassesCutlasses
    Officials had struggled to deliver some of the 60m ballot papers to stations in time for the vote. They only arrived in the country on Friday evening.Officials had struggled to deliver some of the 60m ballot papers to stations in time for the vote. They only arrived in the country on Friday evening.
    In the central state of Nassarawa, a number of policemen were killed while escorting election officials with the papers.In the central state of Nassarawa, a number of policemen were killed while escorting election officials with the papers.
    The more thugs you have, the more votes you have Sha'aya'u Aminu, 23, student Voters' views Press uneaseThe more thugs you have, the more votes you have Sha'aya'u Aminu, 23, student Voters' views Press unease
    Police fired on crowds in the northern state of Katsina, the home state of both Mr Yar'Adua and one of his main opponents, Muhammadu Buhari.Police fired on crowds in the northern state of Katsina, the home state of both Mr Yar'Adua and one of his main opponents, Muhammadu Buhari.
    Four people were killed in clashes there after only half the voting papers arrived.Four people were killed in clashes there after only half the voting papers arrived.
    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.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.
    The boldest attempt to disrupt polling was in the hours before polling was due to start when a petrol tanker laden with gas cylinders was used in an attack on the electoral commission's headquarters in Abuja.The boldest attempt to disrupt polling was in the hours before polling was due to start when a petrol tanker laden with gas cylinders was used in an attack on the electoral commission's headquarters in Abuja.
    The attackers tried to roll the unmanned tanker into the building, but the vehicle missed its target and came to a halt.The attackers tried to roll the unmanned tanker into the building, but the vehicle missed its target and came to a halt.
    The presidential poll was running alongside elections for the National Assembly and Senate.The presidential poll was running alongside elections for the National Assembly and Senate.
    The new government is scheduled to take power on 29 May.The new government is scheduled to take power on 29 May.
    Nigeria - one of the world's biggest oil producers - is of key strategic interest to both the West and the growing economies of the East.Nigeria - one of the world's biggest oil producers - 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.