Nigerian election praised, despite delays

Foreign observers of the weekend's parliamentary elections in Nigeria said they were concerned by polling irregularities but they praised the country's continued efforts to entrench democracy after decades of military rule.

The head of 20 Commonwealth observers, Salim Ahmed Salim, said in a statement that "logistical" problems in the first elections held for 20 years under a civilian regime had hampered the voting on Saturday for a new national assembly.

"There were logistical problems in many places, essential materials were missing and the opening of thousands of polling stations was delayed, with some opening very late," he said.

Nigeria's electoral agency has pledged to allow voting this week in parts of three states that had no elections because ballot material failed to arrive. Overall, the agency said it was "95 per cent" satisfied with the way the weekend elections had gone.

Nigeria's two previous civilian-run elections, in 1964 and 1966, were so chaotic they helped to induce two of the country's six military coups.

The voting so far has left President Olusegun Obasanjo's ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a majority of seats. The gains will help Mr Obasanjo's chances in Saturday's presidential elections.