Relief for those who vote

But those still queuing at the official closing time of 1700 (1600 GMT) would be able to vote, election commission official Philip Umeadi told the BBC.

Many of the 120,000 polling stations remained shut hours after polls opened.

Turnout was low in many areas and there were several violent incidents, notably an attempt to blow up the election HQ.

The European observer team strongly criticised some aspects of the voting saying there had been no improvements o­n last weekend's state elections which were marred by fraud.

The election should result in the first transfer of power between civilian presidents since independence - but BBC reporters across Africa's most populous country reported numerous problems.

• In the central state of Nassarawa, close to the capital, Abuja, a number of policemen were killed while escorting election officials who were delivering ballot boxes.

All the major highways were turned into football pitches Fidelis Mbah in Lagos At the polls: Reporters' log

• There were delays at many polling stations in Abuja, with the late arrival of election materials or officials, despite queues of people waiting to vote.
• In the northern state of Katsina, four people were shot dead, and youths burned down shacks when officials announced that o­nly half the ballot papers had arrived. Several ballot boxes were stolen.
• Violence and long voting delays occured in the Niger Delta.
• Few polling stations opened in north-eastern and eastern states in the morning.
• A low turnout was reported in Lagos in the south, with some local voting cancelled after details o­n ballot papers were missing.

Violence

The run-up to the poll was marred by violence - more of which broke out o­n Friday night.

NIGERIAN ELECTION 60m registered voters 120,000 ballot boxes 360 House of Representative seats to be elected 109 Senate seats to be elected 24 presidential candidates Main contenders: Atiku Abubakar for the AC, 60-years-old Muhammadu Buhari, ANPP, 64 Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, PDP, 55 Polls open 1000-1700 (local time) (0900-1600 GMT) To avoid a run-off, a candidate needs highest number of votes overall and at least 25% of votes in 24 of the 36 states Candidates' profiles

Police said a petrol tanker laden with gas cylinders was used in the failed attack o­n the electoral commission's headquarters in Abuja.

The attackers attempted to roll the unmanned tanker into the building, but the vehicle missed its target, crashed into a lamp post and came to a halt.

Although there was a small fire o­n board, the detonators failed to trigger a large explosion.

Violence was also reported in Bayelsa in the oil-rich south, the scene o­n Friday evening of a possible assassination attempt by militants o­n the state governor and ruling party's vice-presidential candidate Goodluck Jonathan.

Polling delay

Outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo said despite flaws, Nigeria could achieve a peaceful and democratic handover of power.

The more thugs you have, the more votes you have Sha'aya'u Aminu, 23, student Voters' views

Speaking after voting, he said that "those who do not want these elections to take place, they have left no stone unturned to make sure it does not hold".

Unrest before and after last week's polls left up to 50 people dead.

In the presidential election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) delayed polling by two hours after they reprinted some 60m ballot papers to include Vice-President Atiku Abubakar following a court ruling o­n Monday. They arrived from South Africa o­n Friday evening.

Mr Abubakar is considered o­ne of the leading contenders for the presidency, alongside Umaru Yar'Adua of the ruling People's Democratic Party and former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

The voting in Nasarawa State has been very peaceful Dr Samuel Jimba in Keffi At the polls: Voters' log

Nigeria is o­ne of the world's biggest oil producers. It is of key strategic interest to both the West and the growing economies of the East.

But despite the country's huge oil wealth, tens of millions live in poverty.