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E Timor holds presidential polls E Timor holds presidential polls
(about 3 hours later)
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. Voting has taken place in East Timor's first presidential election since independence in 2002.
Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta is one of eight seeking to replace incumbent Xanana Gusmao, who is stepping down. Many are hoping the vote will help resolve political tensions and instability in the troubled nation.
It is East Timor's first presidential election since independence in 2002. Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, is one of eight candidates seeking to replace Xanana Gusmao, who is stepping down.
Tension has been high in the country since clashes last summer between rival military factions triggered street violence that left some 30 people dead. Clashes last summer between rival military factions resulted in street violence that left 30 people dead.
On Sunday, Mr Gusmao used a radio address to appeal for a peaceful vote. "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.
"Don't use intimidation, don't use violence to force people to vote for your candidate or other candidates," he said. 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.
"I ask all the candidates in the name of society to accept the result of the election." 'Free and fair'
Campaigning has been for the most part calm, although in recent days clashes between supporters of rival candidates left around 30 people injured. Monday's vote was being seen as a trial run for that poll.
Three-way race Turnout was high with queues reported outside polling stations from before dawn.
People started arriving at polling stations while it was still dark, the BBC's Jonathan Head reports from the capital, Dili. Election observers reported few problems.
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 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.
Mr Ramos-Horta faces tough competition for the presidency He has been seen as the leading contender to replace Mr Gusmao.
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 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.
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." Official results are not expected until 16 April, but a spokesman for the electoral commission said preliminary results could begin to emerge on Tuesday.
Some 3,000 international police and troops are on the streets to provide security for the polls. 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.
Finn Reske-Nielsen, deputy head of the UN mission in East Timor, said polling appeared to be going well. The United Nations had been planning to leave the country but is now back in force helping to run this election.
Preliminary results are expected on Wednesday. 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 the parliamentary elections scheduled for later this year. There are fears over how well losing candidates will accept the result of this poll and June's parliamentary elections.