Election Polling in Nigeria
Posted on 26 September 2011
Counting is still underway following election polling for Nigerian state governorships. There were reports that gunfire and ballot box thefts may have led to low voter turnout in some polling areas. At least one state in the north, Gombe, had seen election officials fleeing polling units due to violence. As the results trickle in, security forces are poised to clamp down on any violence that might erupt.
The situation is especially tense given the backdrop of violence in the country following the presidential elections earlier this month. At least 500 Nigerians have been killed and some 74,000 people displaced after Goodluck Jonathan, a southern Christian, was declared winner by a wide margin in the April 16 presidential election. Supporters of his northern opponent Muhammadu Buhari rejected the results and took to the streets, setting fire to churches, mosques and homes.
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