* Results of re-run poll for state governor postponed * Security concerns as voter intimidation blamed * Election under spotlight ahead of presidential vote By Camillus Eboh ABUJA, April 27 (Reuters) - Nigeria's electoral agency on Monday postponed publication of the results of a gubernatorial poll in southwestern Ekiti state because of security concerns and voter intimidation in some areas. Ekiti residents over the weekend voted in a re-run of the 2007 gubernatorial election, which was annulled by an appeals court last February due to electoral law violations. The poll is being closely watched by local and foreign observers to see whether Nigeria has improved its electoral process since the flawed 2007 national election. Africa's most populous country holds its next presidential poll in two years. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it was forced to delay the Ekiti election results because of violence in two voting wards and the town of Oye, home to around 18,000 voters. "The early stages of the election on Saturday started very well and were quite impressive and smooth. Later on a serious security situation set in as politicians and their gangs moved to undermine the process," said INEC Chairman Maurice Iwu. "The commission has no choice but to postpone the remaining election (results)." The agency did not say when election results would be finalized. Preliminary election results showed a close governor's race between the two candidates of Action Congress and President Umaru Yar'Adua's People's Democratic Party, according to local media outlets. Yar'Adua promised to institute much-needed electoral reforms after the April 2007 federal polls, which brought him to power, were so marred by ballot-stuffing and voter irregularities that local and foreign observers said they were not credible. But some analysts say time is running out for Nigeria to implement electoral reforms if it is to avoid a repeat at the 2011 national elections. [ID:nLP935412] Nigeria's cabinet has backed several reforms including independent funding for INEC, breaking the agency up so it can better focus on electoral conduct, and prosecution of election riggers. The changes must still be approved by parliament. Even if passed, critics say the reforms are not enough to guarantee free and fair elections in two years. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ ) (Writing by Randy Fabi; Editing by Tume Ahemba)
African first ladies Ida Odinga of Kenya (rear L-R), Hadjia Laraba Tandja of Niger, Penehupifo Pohamba of Namibia, Thandiwe Banda of Zambia, Maria da Luz Dai Guebuza of Mozambique, Mathato Sarah ...
