A closely-watched election in one of Nigeria's most politically turbulent states got off to a slow start on Saturday, with most polling stations still closed hours after voting was due to begin.
The governorship vote in southeastern Anambra state is the first in a cycle of state and federal polls culminating in presidential elections next year and is seen as a test of Nigeria's ability to hold credible national elections.
Observers are hoping Africa's most populous nation can avoid a repeat of the sort of chaos seen during the 2007 elections which brought President Umaru Yar'Adua to power, polls marred by widespread ballot-stuffing and voter intimidation.
Dozens of people stood outside polling stations in the state capital Awka and surrounding villages two hours after voting should have started, with electoral officials yet to arrive. "We are eager to cast our votes. We are waiting but the materials are yet to arrive. From the look of things the elections should be peaceful," said Sunday Okpala, a voter waiting in the village of Isuofia, just outside Awka. Anambra has a history of political violence. Roadblocks jointly manned by police and soldiers sprang up around Awka ahead of Saturday's vote.
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