Nigeria elections postponed over organisational problems

Nigeria has postponed until Monday parliamentary elections amid widespread organisational problems. The vote was to be the first of three landmark polls this month seen as a critical test of whether the country can organise credible elections. 

Reuters/Akintunde Akinleye

Electoral commission chief Attahiru Jega announced the decision on live television at around midday on Saturday. He said the difficult decision had been taken to maintain the integrity of the poll and retain control of the process. He said the organisational problems involved a vendor that failed to supply the necessary election materials.

"I take responsibility for it because it is a major lapse," he said. "It is a terrible, unfortunate emergency."

While polling stations opened relatively on time in some areas of the country, materials had not arrived in certain places. In Bayelsa, the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan and where he was to cast his ballot, many voting stations were still without materials by midday. There were similar problems in Central Nigeria where people were waiting for electoral officials to show up before they could vote.

The day before the vote was marred by violence when suspected Islamic sect members attacked a police station with explosives in northern Nigeria. There were also unconfirmed reports of gunshots on Saturday in Bayelsa involving supporters of rival parties.

Presidential elections are due to follow the parliamentary ballot on 9 April, while governorship and state assembly polls are set for16 April in Africa's largest oil producer.

Meanwhile, a fuel tanker overturned at an army checkpoint in central Nigeria on Friday. Some 50 people died in the ensuing blaze. Similar accidents are not uncommon in Nigeria where roads are poorly maintained and traffic is chaotic.