VZCZCXRO2777
OO RUEHMA
DE RUEHUJA #0758/01 1111511
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 211511Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9254
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0267
RUEHCD/AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ 0263
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 6655
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000758 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: NIGERIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - SITREP 2 
 
REF: ABUJA 757 
 
ABUJA 00000758  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (U)  SUMMARY:  The balloting in Nigeria's Presidential 
and National Assembly elections is generally  underway as of 
1430 local time.  Many stations report ballots cast, but 
others have yet to commence.  There continue to be no serious 
security incidents reported, but more sporadic and isolated 
incidents have occurred.  Ballot paper errors have forced the 
postponement of some national assembly elections in at least 
eight states, with expectations that those elections will 
occur on April 26.  As with last week, reports of stolen 
ballots, ballot boxes and political influence at the polling 
sites have been received from throughout the country.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
LOGISTICS 
--------- 
 
¶2.  (U)  The balloting in Nigeria's Presidential and National 
Assembly elections is generally underway as of 1430 local 
time.  Many stations report ballots cast, but others still 
report only prospects for voting later in the day.  There is 
much confusion throughout the country about the hours for the 
polls.  Some local INEC officials say that polls will close 
at 1700, others promise that voters will have seven hours 
from the time polls open.  Mission observers report 
throughout the country that the number of presidential 
ballots delivered to the various polling sites thus far 
average less than half of the number of voters registered at 
each site.  But the light turnout mitigates any potential 
problem of ballot shortage.  Mission observers report about 
30 percent of registered voters in many places throughout the 
North are lined up and and getting frustrated with the wait. 
Mission observes in the Southeast and Southwest report very 
light turnout, in some cases estimated at about 20 percent. 
In most of the Niger Delta region, more polling stations are 
open, but estimates by local observers are that only about 
ten percent of the voters came out.  One NGO report says that 
there is no polling in rural areas of Rivers state, 
particularly in Ogoni land. 
 
SECURITY 
-------- 
 
¶3.  (U)  There continue to be no serious security incidents 
reported anywhere in the country, but we continue to receive 
reports of some sporadic and isolated incidents.  Reports 
indicate that another INEC office has been destroyed in Dutse 
(Jigawa state) over non-supply or shortages of materials.  A 
group of about 200 angry voters in Kaduna became violent, 
forcing RSO vehicles to exit the area.  Mission observers 
have reported no further instances of harassment but some 
have been forced to return temporarily to their hotels while 
crowds are dispersed.  Gunfire has been reported in Port 
Harcourt, Rivers state, and one Embassy contact claims that 
"militants" are infiltrating the city. 
 
INEC STORIES 
------------ 
 
¶4.  (U)  Mission observers report that errors on the ballot 
papers have forced the postponement of some National Assembly 
elections in Ogun, Niger, Abia, Lagos, Oyo, Kaduna, Rivers, 
and Delta. (Updated list of states from sitrep 1.)  In most 
cases, the reason was omission of candidates from the ballot. 
 INEC has not officially announced a date for these 
by-elections, but most local officials say the poll will be 
conducted on Thursday, April 26. 
 
POLITICAL INFLUENCE 
------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) Mission observers reports isolated instances of what 
appears to be one or another of the parties influencing the 
balloting in that polling unit.  We continue to receive 
reports of the snatching of ballots and ballot boxes 
throughout the country, similar to the election last week. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
 
ABUJA 00000758  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶6.  (U)  Thus far, the mood throughout the country is one of 
apathy.  With voters turnout much lower than last week, 
tension today is not as high.  With many polling stations 
opening four hours later than the 1000 start time, as opposed 
to the two hour wait last week, resignation appears to be the 
order of the day. 
 
¶7.  (U)  This message incorporates information from both 
Embassy and Consulate Lagos. 
CAMPBELL