Nigeria's Delta state gears up for test case election

Two people have died in the lead-up to an governorship election re-run in Nigeria's Delta state. The election, which is scheduled for Thursday, is seen as a test for Attahiru Jega, the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission as the country prepares for presidential polls in April.

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In November, a Federal High Court annulled the 2007 election of Emmanuel Uduaghan who had been governor for almost four years. The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct fresh elections into the office of governor.

A force of 23,0000 police have been drafted to Delta state. The office of the electoral commission in the Ugheli area has been set on fire by protesting youths of different camps. Two people have been killed while 20 others have been injured.

The commission will test the integrity of some of its new staff during Thursday's election and take care of logistics necessary to ensure a free, fair and acceptable election.

President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo flew into Asaba, the state capital, to campaign for Uduaghan, who the People's Democratic Party candidate.

Uduaghan faces stiff opposition from his political godfather, Edwin Clark, who was Minister of Information in the 1960s.

Despite the unrest, the electoral commission says no cause for alarm.