This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8384874.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Conservative wins Honduran poll Conservative wins Honduran poll
(10 minutes later)
Provisional results in the Honduran presidential election show that National Party candidate Porfirio Lobo has won.Provisional results in the Honduran presidential election show that National Party candidate Porfirio Lobo has won.
The scheduled poll was held five months after President Manuel Zelaya was forced from the country at gunpoint, with an interim government taking over.The scheduled poll was held five months after President Manuel Zelaya was forced from the country at gunpoint, with an interim government taking over.
Mr Lobo, a wealthy landowner, is seen as a unifying figure.Mr Lobo, a wealthy landowner, is seen as a unifying figure.
His rival Elvin Santos, who gained 38% of votes to Mr Lobo's 56% in interim results, conceded.His rival Elvin Santos, who gained 38% of votes to Mr Lobo's 56% in interim results, conceded.
Election officials said just over 60% of registered voters had cast their ballot.
A clear winner and high turnout were what the interim government were hoping for to give the election legitimacy, correspondents say.
'Important step'
The US, which had indicated it would accept the results of the election, said Sunday's vote was important.The US, which had indicated it would accept the results of the election, said Sunday's vote was important.
"Significant work remains to be done to restore democratic and constitutional order in Honduras, but today the Honduran people took a necessary and important step forward," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said in a statement as the results were coming in."Significant work remains to be done to restore democratic and constitutional order in Honduras, but today the Honduran people took a necessary and important step forward," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said in a statement as the results were coming in.
The Honduran government has tried to portray this election as a nationwide demonstration that the country is on a democratic path, after five months of political crisis.The Honduran government has tried to portray this election as a nationwide demonstration that the country is on a democratic path, after five months of political crisis.
Mr Zelaya, who has been living in the Brazilian embassy in the capital Tegucigalpa since he secretly returned to the country in September, described the vote to elect his replacement as a "fraud" and called on his supporters to abstain.Mr Zelaya, who has been living in the Brazilian embassy in the capital Tegucigalpa since he secretly returned to the country in September, described the vote to elect his replacement as a "fraud" and called on his supporters to abstain.
During the day's voting, several hundred protesters against the election gathered in the city of San Pedro Sur.During the day's voting, several hundred protesters against the election gathered in the city of San Pedro Sur.
They were dispersed by security forces using tear gas.They were dispersed by security forces using tear gas.
AT THE SCENE Stephen Gibbs, BBC, Tegucigalpa Within hours of the polls opening, the main pro-government television station was already declaring this election a success, announcing that there had been no reports of any violence and that people were voting in large numbers. The legitimacy of the election will be judged partly on voter turnout; the ousted President Zelaya has declared abstention the best form of protest.AT THE SCENE Stephen Gibbs, BBC, Tegucigalpa Within hours of the polls opening, the main pro-government television station was already declaring this election a success, announcing that there had been no reports of any violence and that people were voting in large numbers. The legitimacy of the election will be judged partly on voter turnout; the ousted President Zelaya has declared abstention the best form of protest.
In the last presidential election, 56% of the eligible population cast their vote. This morning in the capital, I saw steady streams of people drifting into polling stations. But there was no evidence of large crowds. Security is relatively discreet, with just a few soldiers on the streets outside the voting areas.In the last presidential election, 56% of the eligible population cast their vote. This morning in the capital, I saw steady streams of people drifting into polling stations. But there was no evidence of large crowds. Security is relatively discreet, with just a few soldiers on the streets outside the voting areas.
The president-elect will have the challenge of mending relations with the outside world. Mr Lobo said he would encourage regional powers to accept the result of the election.
"We are prepared to approach them and ask them to understand that there is a government which was elected, that it is the precise will of Hondurans at the ballot box, that it is a democracy and we should all respect the leadership of countries," he said, according to Reuters news agency.
The political crisis and election have divided the region, with Costa Rica, which has long been the mediator between the two sides in the crisis, saying it would accept the result, but other Latin American countries opposing the vote.The political crisis and election have divided the region, with Costa Rica, which has long been the mediator between the two sides in the crisis, saying it would accept the result, but other Latin American countries opposing the vote.
Argentina and Brazil have said they will not recognise any government installed after the election, arguing that to do so would legitimise the coup which ousted an elected president, and thus set a dangerous precedent.Argentina and Brazil have said they will not recognise any government installed after the election, arguing that to do so would legitimise the coup which ousted an elected president, and thus set a dangerous precedent.
Congress is due to vote on Mr Zelaya's reinstatement on 2 December. His term ends on 27 January.Congress is due to vote on Mr Zelaya's reinstatement on 2 December. His term ends on 27 January.
Mr Zelaya was forced into exile on 28 June after trying to hold a vote on whether a constituent assembly should be set up to look at rewriting the constitution.Mr Zelaya was forced into exile on 28 June after trying to hold a vote on whether a constituent assembly should be set up to look at rewriting the constitution.
His critics said the vote, which was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, aimed to remove the current one-term limit on serving as president and pave the way for his possible re-election.His critics said the vote, which was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, aimed to remove the current one-term limit on serving as president and pave the way for his possible re-election.
Mr Zelaya has repeatedly denied this and some commentators say it would have been impossible to change the constitution before his term in office was up.Mr Zelaya has repeatedly denied this and some commentators say it would have been impossible to change the constitution before his term in office was up.