Voting failed to begin as scheduled in much of the country, even though the start was delayed by two hours.

Printing issues meant voting papers for the landmark poll did not arrive from South Africa until Friday evening.

An overnight attack on election HQ in Abuja failed when a petrol tanker laden with detonators failed to explode.

The election should result in the first transfer of power between civilian presidents since . . . but journalists across the country are reporting numerous problems.

Voting began on time in some parts of Katsina, home of two of the main presidential candidates, but near an election office youths burnt down several shacks, expressing frustration and anger at problems in getting election materials there.

There were delays at many polling stations in the capital, Abuja, with the late arrival of election materials or officials, despite lines of people waiting to vote.

A low turnout is being reported in Lagos in the south, with some local voting cancelled after details on ballot papers were missing. Violence and long voting delays are being reported in the Niger Delta.

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