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ABUJA. – Partial results from Nigeria’s election give ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari more votes than the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan.

However, populous states such as Lagos and Rivers are yet to declare. With just over half of Nigeria’s states declared, Gen Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) was reported to be ahead by some two million votes.

More results are due to be announced on Tuesday. Correspondents say it is likely the loser will allege foul play.

Nigeria’s election commission (Inec) suspended its declarations late on Monday night, after giving the results for 18 states and the capital Abuja.

President Jonathan’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gained 6,488,210 votes and Gen Buhari’s APC party received 8,520,436 votes.

Almost half of Nigeria’s states have yet to declare their results

Several key states have yet to declare in the south, where Mr Jonathan, a southerner, enjoys strong support.

The candidate with the most votes will only avoid a run-off if they gain at least 25% of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states.

A victory for Mr Buhari would make President Jonathan the first incumbent in Nigeria to lose his re-election bid.

But the BBC’s Will Ross in Abuja says that at this point, neither side is mentioning the possibility of losing the election.

Our correspondent says that international observers have broadly praised the conduct of the vote but there has been some concern over possible efforts to rig the outcome during the count.

Nigeria’s election process: Key facts

• Candidate with the most votes is declared the winner in the first round
• The winning candidate also needs at least 25% of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states
• If there is no outright winner, the law says a run-off election must be held within seven days
• Victory in a run-off election is by simple majority

The US and UK have expressed their concerns over possible “political interference” during the count.

A spokesman from Inec dismissed these fears, saying that “there is absolutely no basis” to talk of meddling.

Authorities in the undeclared Rivers State reportedly announced a curfew on Monday night after protests over alleged vote rigging.

Media caption The BBC’s Andrew Harding: “The concern… is that President Goodluck Jonathan may be heading towards an election defeat and is looking for ways to change that”

Earlier, police in the state used teargas against female opposition protesters who were attempting to lodge complaints with election officials.

Voting spilled into Sunday in some parts of Nigeria after problems were encountered with new electronic card readers.

President Jonathan, whose PDP has dominated Nigerian politics since 1999, was among those whose registration to vote was delayed by the technology, which was introduced to prevent fraud.

Election commission chief Attahiru Jega said only a fraction of the 150,000 card readers being used nationwide had failed.

The UN gave an upbeat assessment of the vote on Sunday, with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praising the “determination and resilience” of voters, despite the reports of attacks by Boko Haram militants and others.

The National Human Rights Commission said 50 people were killed during the balloting.

The presidential and parliamentary elections had been delayed by six weeks because of the insurgency by Boko Haram.

Police fired teargas at female protesters in Rivers State on Monday

The Islamists attacked polling stations in north-eastern states, with a curfew declared in Bauchi State after fighting between the security forces and the group.

As well as a president, voters are electing members of the house of representatives and the senate. – BBC