Nigeria counting votes after gunfire, explosions

DAURA, NIGERIA — Nigerian officials began counting votes in its delayed election on Saturday, after gunfire and explosions started voting day, as President Muhammadu Buhari seeks a second term in Africa’s most populous nation.

The vote, widely seen as too close to call, also was marred by hours-long delays at polling stations across the vast West African country. Polls closed in many areas, although voting continued in units that opened late. Preliminary results are expected in about two to four days, according to observers.

Nigerian security authorities openly acknowledged an extremist attack in the northeast city of Maiduguri shortly before voting began on Saturday. Boko Haram extremists “attempted to infiltrate” the state capital by launching artillery fire, likely to disrupt the elections, said a statement by Borno state police. Nigerian security forces earlier Saturday said the blasts had been their own in a show of force to deter extremists.

“Some missiles strayed into vulnerable locations” but there were no casualties and the extremists retreated, said the new statement. However, a security official said one soldier was killed and four wounded. The official insisted on anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

The army also confirmed a “futile” attack on a security outpost in Geidam in Yobe state. Voting turnout appeared to be light as authorities tried to calm panicked, skeptical residents.

Gunfire also was heard in Port Harcourt in Nigeria’s restive south, where the military presence was heavier than in past elections. One convoy in Delta state contained more than 25 vehicles with battle-ready soldiers. Later in the day, soldiers in Rivers state fired on suspected ballot snatchers, with four people arrested.

The attacks did not stop voting across Nigeria.

The incumbent Buhari brushed aside reporters’ questions about whether he would accept a loss to top challenger Atiku Abubakar, a billionaire former vice president. The president, first in line to vote in his northern hometown of Daura, jokingly checked the name on his wife’s ballot.

A smiling Abubakar, after voting in his hometown of Yola in the northeast, told reporters that “I look forward to a successful transition.” He previously pledged to accept the results, provided they are credible.

Buhari called the voting process smooth, but a coalition of civic groups said multiple polling units had not opened more than four hours after the official start. Delays were reported in Delta, Anambra and Akwa Ibom states as well as in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city.

Local broadcaster Channels TV showed a crowd still waiting after noon for the start of voting in the north-central state of Nasarawa. Abubakar’s party called such delays “deliberate,” claiming overwhelming support there.