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E Timor holds presidential polls | E Timor holds presidential polls |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Voting has taken place in East Timor's first presidential election since independence in 2002. | |
Many are hoping the vote will help resolve political tensions and instability in the troubled nation. | |
Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, is one of eight candidates seeking to replace Xanana Gusmao, who is stepping down. | |
Clashes last summer between rival military factions resulted in street violence that left 30 people dead. | |
"I'm happy because we have the right to vote for people to choose the right president," said Mr Gusmao as he waited to cast his vote. | |
Mr Gusmao has said he intends to run for prime minister in general elections set for June that will decide a new parliament and government. | |
'Free and fair' | |
Monday's vote was being seen as a trial run for that poll. | |
Turnout was high with queues reported outside polling stations from before dawn. | |
Election observers reported few problems. | |
Mr Ramos-Horta faces tough competition for the presidency"Despite some flaws, despite some intimidation, it can be said to be free and fair," said Mr Ramos-Horta as he waited to vote. | |
He has been seen as the leading contender to replace Mr Gusmao. | |
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. | 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. |
Official results are not expected until 16 April, but a spokesman for the electoral commission said preliminary results could begin to emerge on Tuesday. | |
Analysts say an outright victory by one candidate is unlikely, which would mean a run-off vote next month. | |
UN support | |
Some 3,000 international police and troops were 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. |
The United Nations had been planning to leave the country but is now back in force helping to run this election. | |
The UN expects to be in East Timor now for many years, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in the capital Dili. | |
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 re-opened deep splits in East Timorese society, many dating back to the long war against Indonesia's rule. | Last year's crisis re-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 June's parliamentary elections. |