Voting materials have arrived in many of Nigeria's 36 states ahead of a postponed parliamentary election on Saturday but there could still be problems in isolated polling wards in Africa's most populous nation.

Logistical chaos forced Nigeria's election organisers to abandon last Saturday's vote after results sheets and ballot papers failed to arrive in many parts of the country.

There were also reports of names missing on the new electoral roll.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) delayed a series of elections by a week -- including a presidential vote, now set for April 16, and state governorship polls ten days later -- to buy time to clear up the glitches.

Some reports have said there may be further postponements to the vote in some areas, including parts of the commercial capital Lagos, although it should only impact a small fraction of more than 73 million registered voters.

"No decision on that has yet been taken," said INEC spokesman Kayode Idowu.

"At the last count, things are looking good for Saturday."

INEC chief Attahiru Jega said the first election attempt was scrapped after he was let down by suppliers who blamed shipping problems caused partly by the tsunami in Japan for failing to get ballot papers to Nigeria on time.

One Western diplomat said earlier this week the logistical challenges identified by Jega were "just the tip of the iceberg" and that several hundred tonnes of ballot papers and results sheets for the presidential polls alone were yet to arrive.

Nigeria has failed to hold a single credible election since the end of military rule in 1999 and these polls are seen as a test of how-well entrenched democracy really is.

MATERIALS ARRIVE ACROSS COUNTRY

Regional electoral commissioners in nine states told Reuters on Wednesday they had received all the voting materials, which they were storing either at INEC offices or in central bank lock-ups. Four others were awaiting remaining items.

"We still have a shortfall in ballot papers for some federal constituencies, as well as collation sheets, but this is not something that cannot be done. For now, we are hopeful," said Gabriel Ogbudu Ada, electoral commissioner in Delta state in the southern oil-producing Niger Delta.

The bungled attempt at the first of three nationwide elections in Africa's largest crude exporter is a huge embarrassment for a nation hoping to break with a 12-year cycle of votes marred by ballot-stuffing and intimidation.

An abundance of conspiracy theories have circulated on social media platforms, ranging from a concerted bid to discredit the electoral commission by those scared of a free poll, to an attempt by the ruling party to cling on to power.

There are also fears that last week's chaos undermined the electorate's faith in the process and that fewer people will turn out for the second attempt. But preparations are further ahead than a week ago and INEC officials are optimistic.

"All the materials will be distributed. Everything is in place except the human beings," said C.E. Onukaogu, electoral commissioner in the southeastern state of Anambra.