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E Timor holds presidential polls E Timor holds presidential polls
(about 3 hours later)
Polls have opened in East Timor for the country's first presidential election since independence in 2002. Voters in East Timor are electing a new president in a poll many hope will help resolve political tensions and instability in the troubled nation.
Eight candidates are contesting the election, including front-runner Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta. Incumbent Xanana Gusmao is stepping down. Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta is one of eight seeking to replace incumbent Xanana Gusmao, who is stepping down.
Tension has been high in East Timor since clashes last summer between rival military factions triggered street violence that left some 30 people dead. It is East Timor's first presidential election since independence in 2002.
Tension has been high in the country since clashes last summer between rival military factions triggered street violence that left some 30 people dead.
On Sunday, Mr Gusmao used a radio address to appeal for a peaceful vote.On Sunday, Mr Gusmao used a radio address to appeal for a peaceful vote.
"Don't use intimidation, don't use violence to force people to vote for your candidate or other candidates," he said."Don't use intimidation, don't use violence to force people to vote for your candidate or other candidates," he said.
"I ask all the candidates in the name of society to accept the result of the election.""I ask all the candidates in the name of society to accept the result of the election."
Campaigning has been for the most part calm, although in recent days clashes between supporters of rival candidates left around 30 people injured.Campaigning has been for the most part calm, although in recent days clashes between supporters of rival candidates left around 30 people injured.
Three-way raceThree-way race
People started arriving at polling stations while it was still dark, the BBC's Jonathon Head reports from the capital, Dili.People started arriving at polling stations while it was still dark, the BBC's Jonathon Head reports from the capital, Dili.
Many East Timorese are disappointed with the leadership of their country in its first five years as an independent nation but that does not appear to have diminished their desire to vote, he says.Many East Timorese are disappointed with the leadership of their country in its first five years as an independent nation but that does not appear to have diminished their desire to vote, he says.
Mr Ramos-Horta faces tough competition for the presidencyMr Ramos-Horta faces tough competition for the presidency
Mr Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, had been seen as the leading contender to succeed the popular outgoing president. Mr Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, had been seen as the leading contender to replace Mr Gusmao, who has indicated he wants to take a more hands on role as prime minister.
But he faces challenges from the powerful Fretilin Party chairman Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres and Fernando "Lasama" De Araujo, the chairman of the opposition Democrat Party. But Mr Ramos-Horta faces challenges from the powerful Fretilin Party chairman Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres and Fernando "Lasama" De Araujo, the chairman of the opposition Democrat Party.
Mr Ramos-Horta cast his vote at a primary school in Dili. When asked about his chances of winning, he said: "The people will win. Whatever the result is, I believe democracy wins if everybody respects the results."Mr Ramos-Horta cast his vote at a primary school in Dili. When asked about his chances of winning, he said: "The people will win. Whatever the result is, I believe democracy wins if everybody respects the results."
Some 3,000 international police and troops are on the streets to provide security for the polls.Some 3,000 international police and troops are on the streets to provide security for the polls.
These troops - mainly Australian - have been in East Timor since June last year to help stabilise the country after the clashes, which caused thousands to flee their homes.These troops - mainly Australian - have been in East Timor since June last year to help stabilise the country after the clashes, which caused thousands to flee their homes.
Finn Reske-Nielsen, deputy head of the UN mission in East Timor, said polling appeared to be going well.
Preliminary results are expected on Wednesday.Preliminary results are expected on Wednesday.
But however smoothly this election goes, our correspondent says, restoring effective government will be a long-term task.But however smoothly this election goes, our correspondent says, restoring effective government will be a long-term task.
Last year's crisis opened deep splits in East Timorese society, many dating back to the long war against Indonesia's rule.Last year's crisis opened deep splits in East Timorese society, many dating back to the long war against Indonesia's rule.
There are fears over how well losing candidates will accept the result of this poll and the parliamentary elections scheduled for later this year.There are fears over how well losing candidates will accept the result of this poll and the parliamentary elections scheduled for later this year.