Nigerians hit by failures in new election technology return to the polls on Sunday, to allow them to cast their ballots in the country's close-run presidential election.
President Goodluck Jonathan -- who is running against former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari -- and at least three governors from his ruling party were among those whose biometric details could not be checked by the devices, which are designed to combat electoral fraud.
Instead, they had to be processed by hand. Jonathan's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called it a "huge national embarrassment" and a "vindication" of their position against the technology.
"There should have been a test-run for a smaller election before deploying it for an election of this magnitude," said Jonathan's presidential campaign spokesman Femi Fani-Kayode.
Buhari, Jonathan's main opponent whose All Progressives Congress (APC) party had backed the voter identity card readers, however, suggested the row was overblown.
"All this, I think, negative thought about Nigeria election shouldn't hold because of (a) problem in even a maximum of five states," he said.
A 24-hour extension to the election was "in order", he added after voting in his home state of Katsina, in the Muslim-majority north.
Boko Haram
The confusion over the malfunctioning technology added to problems in voting in Africa's most populous nation which included election officials arriving late -- or sometimes not at all.
Boko Haram, which has dominated the campaign trail, also loomed large, apparently holding good to their pledge to disrupt what it sees as the "un-Islamic" elections by launching a series of attacks.
On Friday, 23 people were beheaded and homes set on fire in Buratai, some 200 kilometres (125 kilometres) from the Borno state capital, although it was not clear if it was poll-related.
On Saturday, at least seven people were killed in a string of shootings that witnesses blamed on the Islamists in the northeastern state of Gombe. Three of the attacks were at polling stations.
An election official in the Nafada district, who asked not to be identified, said the gunmen were heard shouting: "Didn't we warn you about staying away from the election?"
The Islamists have repeatedly targeted Nafada but the APC on Saturday blamed its political opponents.
Enforced delay
Sunday will again see tight security in place for the vote from 0700 GMT, given Nigeria's past history of poll-related violence that in 2011 saw some 1,000 people killed after the result was announced.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had said the overall result would be announced within 48 hours of polls closing.
But the enforced delay, which will see those affected by the technical glitches accredited by hand, will likely stretch an already loose deadline.
INEC chairman Attahiru Jega told NTA state television in an interview on Saturday night that what happened to Jonathan was "regrettable and a national embarrassment".
But he added that "in general, we believe that in spite of the challenges things have gone very well" and that turn-out was "quite large".
The body's spokesman Kayode Idowu said voting would take place on Sunday in "just about 300 polling units out of about 150,000" across the country.
"These include about 109 places where cards were not read. Barely 100 places with biometrics issue and others had issue with batteries," he told reporters in the capital, Abuja.
"There are some states without any such incident at all."
Close-run
The problems come with close interest in Nigeria's presidential election, which is the mostly keenly fought in the country's history.
Retired army general Buhari, who headed a military government in the 1980s, has repeatedly attacked Jonathan's record on tackling Boko Haram, rampant government corruption and the economy.
Jonathan have portrayed the 72-year-old Buhari as yesterday's man, warning that his reputation as a bulwark against graft and "indiscipline" is a cover for dictatorship.
Both men have been seen as neck-in-neck in rare pre-election polling with the real possibility that the PDP could be defeated for the first time since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
Observers have, however, seen the six-week delay in voting from February 14 on security grounds as a ploy for Jonathan to claw back lost ground using the greater power of incumbency.
Voting is also taking place for the country's parliament.
AFP
Sun Mar 29 2015
Nigerian women queue to cast their votes in the harsh midday sun at a polling station in Daura, in northern Nigeria Saturday, March 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.