Four more deaths reported in Nigeria's polls

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS Nigeria

Nigeria's electoral body on Sunday said one of its officials has died of 'stray bullets’ in the oil rich River state, a day after at least six others including a soldier were killed in electoral violence in the same state.

Amakiri Ibisaki, a temporary staff, was hit by bullet during election on Saturday, according to the head of the country's electoral commission chairman Mahmud Yakubu.

“We condemn this attack and will forward a comprehensive report for security agencies to investigate," Yakubu told a news briefing in capital Abuja.

Police have also confirmed three dead in more election violence in northern Kogi state.

William Aya, police spokesman in Kogi, said one of the casualties -- a policeman -- died on Friday while the two others died during the presidential and parliamentary ballots.

On Sunday, secret police arrested Buba Galadima, a spokesman for the opposition presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, after he reportedly released a video claiming the latter has won the keenly contested race. Such announcement contravenes the country's electoral laws which empower only the electoral body to declare the result.

The first leg of Nigeria's elections began on Saturday amid reports of ballot snatching, vote buying and violence in a few states -- although the exercise was peaceful and orderly in most parts, according to observers.

Elections have been shifted in some local governments in at least three of Nigeria's 36 states due to violence and disruption of voting.

Official results for the presidential ballot are not expected until Tuesday.