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El Salvador ex-guerrilla in run-off vote for president El Salvador election: Both candidates claim victory
(about 2 hours later)
Voting has closed in El Salvador in a tight election which could see a former left-wing guerrilla become president. Both candidates in El Salvador's presidential election have claimed victory after a preliminary count showed the vote was too close to call.
With almost all votes counted, Salvador Sanchez Ceren, from the governing FMLN party, and his conservative rival, Norman Quijano each had about 50%. Election officials said the race was very tight and told both to wait for the final results.
Mr Sanchez Ceren, a rebel commander during El Salvador's bloody civil war, was widely tipped to win the poll. With all votes counted, the difference between former guerrilla leader Salvador Sanchez Ceren and conservative rival, Norman Quijano, is just 0.2%.
Mr Sanchez Ceren, from the governing FMLN party, was widely tipped to win.
But Mr Quijano, who has been calling for a tougher approach on violence, has made gains in the past few weeks.But Mr Quijano, who has been calling for a tougher approach on violence, has made gains in the past few weeks.
He criticised the government for being too soft on street gangs responsible for much of El Salvador's violence.He criticised the government for being too soft on street gangs responsible for much of El Salvador's violence.
The Central American nation has one of the world's highest murder rates.The Central American nation has one of the world's highest murder rates.
With just several thousand votes putting Mr Sanchez Ceren, the electoral authorities have said it will take them at least another day to declare an outright winner.
"This tribunal recommends and orders that no party declare itself winner given such close results," said Supreme Electoral Tribunal president Eugenio Chicas.
In the first round, held on 2 February, Mr Sanchez Ceren had 48.93% of the vote. He needed 50% to avoid a run-off against Mr Quijano, who received 38.93%.In the first round, held on 2 February, Mr Sanchez Ceren had 48.93% of the vote. He needed 50% to avoid a run-off against Mr Quijano, who received 38.93%.
Mr Sanchez Ceren, 69, was a Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) commander during El Salvador's bloody civil war, which went on from 1980 to 1992.Mr Sanchez Ceren, 69, was a Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) commander during El Salvador's bloody civil war, which went on from 1980 to 1992.
The Marxist rebel group became a political party after the end of the civil war and won the presidential election for the first time in 2009.The Marxist rebel group became a political party after the end of the civil war and won the presidential election for the first time in 2009.
Mauricio Funes was elected and Mr Sanchez Ceren served as his deputy.Mauricio Funes was elected and Mr Sanchez Ceren served as his deputy.
Street gangs truceStreet gangs truce
In 2012, Mr Funes's government facilitated a truce between the country's two biggest gangs.In 2012, Mr Funes's government facilitated a truce between the country's two biggest gangs.
The criminal organisations, or "maras," are involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping and vicious turf wars in El Salvador and neighbouring countries. The criminal organisations, or "maras", are involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping and vicious turf wars in El Salvador and neighbouring countries.
The truce between the Mara Salvatrucha and the 18th Street Gang initially reduced El Salvador's murder rates but there are signs that the deal is falling apart.The truce between the Mara Salvatrucha and the 18th Street Gang initially reduced El Salvador's murder rates but there are signs that the deal is falling apart.
Mr Sanchez Ceren has tried to distance his campaign from the plan, which is widely unpopular with ordinary Salvadorans, says the BBC's Will Grant.Mr Sanchez Ceren has tried to distance his campaign from the plan, which is widely unpopular with ordinary Salvadorans, says the BBC's Will Grant.
He says he will try to include all political forces in the government if he wins the vote.He says he will try to include all political forces in the government if he wins the vote.
"The Salvadoran people want hope. For that reason, we are going to build a great national understanding with all political forces," said Mr Sanchez Ceren."The Salvadoran people want hope. For that reason, we are going to build a great national understanding with all political forces," said Mr Sanchez Ceren.
But analysts say he may have no other choice. Despite Mr Quijano's defeat in the first round, opposition parties won control of the Congress.But analysts say he may have no other choice. Despite Mr Quijano's defeat in the first round, opposition parties won control of the Congress.
Mr Quijano, 67, has blamed the government for negotiating with gang leaders. He also denounced the influence of left-wing governments in the region over the FMLN.Mr Quijano, 67, has blamed the government for negotiating with gang leaders. He also denounced the influence of left-wing governments in the region over the FMLN.
"The FMLN proposals are based in giving the country's sovereignty to Venezuela," the Arena party candidate said during the campaign."The FMLN proposals are based in giving the country's sovereignty to Venezuela," the Arena party candidate said during the campaign.
More than 70,000 people - many of them civilians- died in the conflict between the Marxist rebels and the right-wing government, which was backed by the United States.More than 70,000 people - many of them civilians- died in the conflict between the Marxist rebels and the right-wing government, which was backed by the United States.
El Salvador's new president will be sworn in on 1 June for a five-year term.El Salvador's new president will be sworn in on 1 June for a five-year term.