20110111
reuters

NIAMEY (Reuters) - Niger held local elections on Tuesday, a vote that passed peacefully but was dogged by delays and disorganisation in a number of areas, officials said.

The poll is part of the process aimed at restoring civilian rule after soldiers carried out a coup in February last year to oust President Mamadou Tandja. Presidential and parliamentary elections are due to be held on January 31.

"Voting didn't take place in a number of polling stations in three of the eight regions due to the lack of election equipment and documents," an election official said, asking not to be named.

The delays were caused by confusion and disputes over the lists of candidates in the lead up to the vote.

The polls are due to lead to the nomination of mayors and regional leaders across the uranium-producing nation, which is grappling with the North African wing of al Qaeda.