By CHIP CUMMINS
April 11, 2007; Page A6
The balloting that kicks off in Nigeria Saturday could prove to be a historic event: If the election of a new government goes smoothly, the transition will mark the first time one civilian government in Africa’s most-populous nation passes power to another.
But sporadic violence already has marred the campaign season. Unresolved legal controversies surrounding two candidates could spawn prolonged court battles and possibly postpone voting day.
• The News: Nigeria, a nation of 132 million, heads to the polls Saturday for the beginning of a historic round of elections.
• What’s at Stake: The ballot could produce Nigeria’s first civilian-to-civilian change of government. If things go wrong, it could disrupt the country’s significant oil production.
• What’s Next: A series of court rulings, including whether to delay the balloting or to allow a prominent candidate to enter the race, could be decided within days.
Amid the chaos, some observers are predicting a messy outcome that could result in challenges to the vote or widespread disenchantment with its outcome. That could have broad repercussions well beyond Nigeria, which in recent years has emerged as one of the world’s most important energy suppliers. read more
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