Articles

Nigeria: Voter registry shows northern power

Category: International Published on Friday, 25 February 2011 10:23 Written by Associated Press

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP)— Preliminary voter registration statistics in Nigeria show the country's Muslim north holds an edge in the country's upcoming elections.

Numbers released by the Independent National Electoral Commission suggest states in Nigeria's north have more than 36 million voters, compared to the largely Christian south having 31.6 million. In total, the commission says 67 million voters registered ahead of April's presidential election.

Nigeria's ethnic and religious divisions have been an issue since the West African nation won independence from Britain in 1960. Nigeria has failed to conduct a proper census in the time since over political considerations.

However, the registry numbers suggest President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, may have a tough time in the race.