Dozens Killed In Nigerian Election Violence As Polling Continues

By Scott Neuman

Published March 29, 2015 at 9:07 AM CDT

Nigerian electoral officials collate results at a polling station in the oil rich Niger Delta, Port Harcourt, Nigeria on Sunday. Millions of voters headed to the polls in the Nigerian general elections after being delayed for over a month.

Islamist insurgents in Nigeria have reportedly killed about 40 people, including a lawmaker, as the polling for a new president continues in the West African country.

Voting was extended for a second day after technical problems kept some from casting their ballots on Saturday. Incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan is squaring off against former military dictator Muhammadu Buhari.

According to The Associated Press: "Boko Haram extremists killed 41 people, including a legislator, and scared hundreds of people from polling stations in the northeastern Nigeria. In electoral violence elsewhere, three people including a soldier were shot and killed in southern Rivers state and police said two car bombs exploded at polling stations in the southeast but no one was injured."

NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports:

"Land and sea borders remain closed in Nigeria as voting continues in some areas for a second day, because of technical glitches with new biometric voting card readers.

"But officials are reporting record turnouts, even in areas they say were previously under threat or control of Boko Haram. Nigeria's insurgency chief, Mike Omeri, said the city of Maiduguri — the metropolis of the northeast and the birthplace of Boko Haram – was one such example."

The AP adds:

"Many Christian Nigerians attended Palm Sunday church services in which they prayed for a peaceful outcome for the elections.

"More than 40 people were killed in election-related violence Saturday, though millions were able to vote in a presidential election that analysts say is too close to call."