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Abuja, Nigeria – The highly contested presidential and legislative elections in Nigeria, which were delayed by one week due to logistical problems, closed the polls.
Abuja, the capital, had a huge turnout, with some voters lining up three hours before the polls opened.
"I wanted to be one of the first to vote, so I arrived around 6 am to wait for my accreditation," said Raymond Okoli to Al Jazeera.
Some voters waited in polling stations a few hours after the end of the polls to ensure that their ballots were properly reflected in the results sheets by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
About 120,000 polling stations opened at 07:00 GMT in the most populous country and Africa's largest oil producer, with results expected early next week.
More than 84 million registered voters to participate in the general election.
Seventy-three candidates run for president, the highest number of presidential candidates in the country, with nearly 200 million inhabitants.
Security issues
Two attacks by suspected fighters in northeastern Nigeria announced Saturday's elections.
The people of Maiduguri, in the state of Borno, woke up several times.
"Shortly after the prayers, we heard about seven explosions.Nobody knows what's going on.It's really unfortunate because some people will not go out today to vote," said Jubril Abdulrahman. in Al Jazeera.
The explosions apparently did not deter voters from voting in the city that was the target of repeated attacks by Boko Haram.
Attacks have also been reported in Geidam, in northeastern Yobe, which forced some residents to flee their homes and hide in the bush.
Explosions have also been reported in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, where violent groups have fought for greater control over resources.
A party voting officer was shot dead in the state of Southern Rivers.
An elector was also shot dead in a polling station in central Kogi State.
Voters were expelled and ballot papers were destroyed in some polling stations in the commercial capital, Lagos.
Logistics problem
The elections were delayed one week after logistical problems and alleged sabotage on the part of the INEC.
Electoral materials were not distributed in advance to some polling stations in the country, despite the electoral commission's claims that all logistical problems had been resolved.
The vote did not start in some cities a few hours after the polls opened at 7:00 GMT.
"It seems that the one week delay of the INEC has not solved any problem.We have been waiting for hours before our election documents are brought in. Our votes must count despite the delays." said Idika Godwin to Al Jazeera after his vote in Ohafia, in southern Abia State. .
"The INEC should be better organized than we have known today," he added.
Some voters used social media to express their frustrations, with some alleging sabotage by officials of the electoral commission.
Bitter countryside
Saturday's elections marked the end of a fierce campaign between two leaders: outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, 76, of the All Progressive Congress, and opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar, aged 72, and former vice-president of the People's Democratic Party.
Both candidates expressed the hope of landing the country's prime minister position.
"I'm counting on a successful transition," Abubakar told reporters after his vote in his country, Adamawa.
Buhari, however, declared that he would welcome after the elections.
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