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Security steep as Nigeria votes Voting extended in Nigeria polls
(about 2 hours later)
Voting is underway in Nigeria's state polls after a late start in many parts. Voting is still underway across Nigeria despite the 1400 GMT scheduled closing time due to the polls' delayed start.
It is the winners of this Saturday's election who will wield the most effect on daily life for the 140m inhabitants of Africa's most populous state. Electoral chief Maurice Iwo assured Nigerians that "people who are already at the polling stations will be allowed to vote, no matter how late".
The conduct and results of this vote at state level are being seen as a key test of the electoral process before the presidential vote next weekend. There were scenes of chaos in many areas as polls opened several hours late. Many busy centres are now set to stay open for several more hours.
The polls are a key test ahead of next weekend's presidential elections.
The winners of this Saturday's election will have the greatest effect on daily life for the 140m inhabitants of Africa's most populous state.
State governors can be extremely powerful - with budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states.
These polls are also an important indicator of how free and fair the presidential polls will be.
'Genuine fear'
Tight security is in operation amid fears of violence instigated by gangs sponsored by rival politicians.Tight security is in operation amid fears of violence instigated by gangs sponsored by rival politicians.
President Olusegun Obasanjo says fraud or violence will not be tolerated.President Olusegun Obasanjo says fraud or violence will not be tolerated.
'Genuine fear' class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6555755.stm">In pics: Nigerian state polls
But in Port Harcourt - the largest city in the oil producing Niger Delta - the BBC's Alex Last says, "there's a genuine fear of violence and rigging". But in Port Harcourt - the largest city in the oil producing Niger Delta - the BBC's Alex Last said there was genuine fear of violence and rigging.
HAVE YOUR SAY Despite all the odds associated with this election, Nigerians must play their part and exercise their rights Adeleye Adenola, Australia Are you voting?
Our correspondent was at one polling station which had only been open for a few minutes when a gang of young men on motorcycles stormed it and made off with the ballot papers and the ballot box.Our correspondent was at one polling station which had only been open for a few minutes when a gang of young men on motorcycles stormed it and made off with the ballot papers and the ballot box.
Early on Saturday, suspected militants torched two police stations, killing seven policemen.Early on Saturday, suspected militants torched two police stations, killing seven policemen.
Meanwhile in the commercial capital Lagos - an opposition stronghold - the streets and freeways are abnormally quiet and the military is out in full force manning checkpoints at key road junctions. Meanwhile in the commercial capital Lagos - an opposition stronghold - the streets and freeways were abnormally quiet and the military was out in full force manning checkpoints at key road junctions.
Standing aroundStanding around
Many polling stations in different parts of the country opened several hours late.Many polling stations in different parts of the country opened several hours late.
The biggest issue in the elections is the future of my children, the future of Nigeria's children Eunice Folorunso href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_nigeria_election_voices/html/1.stm">Election voices HAVE YOUR SAY Despite all the odds associated with this election, Nigerians must play their part and exercise their rights Adeleye Adenola, Australia href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5967&edition=2&ttl=20070404114051">Are you voting?
The BBC News website's Senan Murray is at a polling station in the Rukuba area of Jos in central Nigeria.The BBC News website's Senan Murray is at a polling station in the Rukuba area of Jos in central Nigeria.
He says eager voters are standing around in long queues, under the sun, waiting to cast their ballot. He says eager voters stood around waiting to vote from early on Saturday morning.
Electoral officers only turned up just before midday to open the polling station.Electoral officers only turned up just before midday to open the polling station.
Voter Yakubu Ropshak, 27, said: "We are waiting and we are not going anywhere until we vote."Voter Yakubu Ropshak, 27, said: "We are waiting and we are not going anywhere until we vote."
Important indicatorImportant indicator
Our correspondent says that already there have been pockets of violence in some parts of the country where election materials have been destroyed and electoral officers attacked. Our correspondent says that there have been pockets of violence in some parts of the country where election materials have been destroyed and electoral officers attacked.
The biggest issue in the elections is the future of my children, the future of Nigeria's children Eunice Folorunso Election voices
In north-eastern Bauchi state an office block belonging to the Independent National Election Commission (Inet) was burnt by protestors in Gamawe village.In north-eastern Bauchi state an office block belonging to the Independent National Election Commission (Inet) was burnt by protestors in Gamawe village.
Resident election commissioner, Aniedi Abasi-Ikiowar told our correspondent that the destruction of the office building would not affect voting in the area.Resident election commissioner, Aniedi Abasi-Ikiowar told our correspondent that the destruction of the office building would not affect voting in the area.
And in the Asari-Toro local government area of Rivers State an Inet van was attacked and escorts were shot at by unknown gunmen.And in the Asari-Toro local government area of Rivers State an Inet van was attacked and escorts were shot at by unknown gunmen.
These polls to decide Nigeria's state governors are an important indicator of how free and fair the presidential polls will be.
They are also important as state governors can be extremely powerful - with budgets of around $1bn, especially in oil-rich states.