20110411
reuters

ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's ruling party lost more ground on Monday in results emerging from an election that will loosen its grip on parliament in Africa's most populous nation.

Results declared for half the seats in the national assembly suggested the People's Democratic Party's (PDP) was on course for a majority, but not of the size which has allowed it such dominance since army rule ended in 1999.

Despite chaotic organisation and violence in the run-up to the poll, it was hailed as one of the fairest ever in the country of 150 million, where President Goodluck Jonathan is standing in a more important presidential ballot this Saturday.

"Compared to past elections, (the vote) provided a real opportunity for citizens to exercise their right to vote," the National Democratic Institute observer mission said on Monday.

But it sounded a note of caution, with results yet to emerge from many states 48 hours after the polls closed.

"The tabulation process and the announcement of results have not been completed. In the past, this has been a process during which serious irregularities have emerged," NDI added.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said there was no cause for alarm over the delays.

"This country is a vast expanse ... If you go across some parts of the country it can take an entire day to get from a polling unit to the local government area, so 48 hours is not a long time," said INEC spokesman Kayode Idowu.