Violence and Claims of Fraud Mar Nigeria Poll

More than 40 people have been killed and the ruling party has been accused of vote-rigging in the first stage of general elections in Nigeria, further undermining confidence in the prospect of a clean vote for the country's president this week.

Early results in Saturday's state governor and legislature polls showed the ruling People's Democratic party faring better than its rivals. But some counting stations were under siege from voters and opposition candidates who said the results were being rigged. The opposition Action Congress claimed there were "massive irregularities and fraud". Opposition parties say they fear similar irregularities will mar the presidential election on Saturday.

At least 40 people died in political violence on election day. Nine people were killed by police or armed men trying to steal ballot boxes in Ondo state. Seven policemen were killed in Port Harcourt in an attack on two police stations by armed men who said the election had been rigged in favour of the ruling party's candidate. Several electoral commission offices were razed and election officers abducted.

There were also clashes yesterday in the volatile oil-rich Niger Delta, where armed opposition supporters burned buildings and barricaded roads.

About 70 people died in political violence in the run-up to the election, including the candidates for governor of Lagos and Ondo states, who were assassinated.

However, the ballot passed without incident in many parts of Nigeria. The electoral commission said it was generally satisfied but cancelled the election for governor in Imo state because of irregularities.