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Tunisia holds first post-revolution presidential poll | Tunisia holds first post-revolution presidential poll |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The polls have closed after Tunisia's first presidential election since the 2011 "Arab Spring" that triggered uprisings across the region. | |
About 54% of the electorate took part, with no reports of any violence. | |
Interim president Moncef Marzouki and anti-Islamist leader Beji Caid Essebsi were touted as the favourites in a field of more than 25 candidates. | |
Both campaigns claimed to have won the most votes but admitted that a second round of voting next month was likely. | |
The official results are due out later this week and if no candidate wins more than 50%, a run-off will be held on 31 December. | |
The poll forms part of a political transition after the revolution that ousted Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. | The poll forms part of a political transition after the revolution that ousted Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. |
A parliamentary vote was held in October. | A parliamentary vote was held in October. |
Tunisia - seen as the birthplace of the Arab Spring - is considered to have had the most successful outcome, with relatively low levels of violence. | Tunisia - seen as the birthplace of the Arab Spring - is considered to have had the most successful outcome, with relatively low levels of violence. |
Sunday's election will deliver the country's first directly elected leader since the removal of Mr Ben Ali. Most polling stations were open for 10 hours from 08:00 (07:00 GMT). | |
"We were the first to enter this cycle of change which they have called the Arab Spring," Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa was quoted as saying on the eve of the poll. | "We were the first to enter this cycle of change which they have called the Arab Spring," Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa was quoted as saying on the eve of the poll. |
"We will be the first [to make the transition] but others will follow," he added. | "We will be the first [to make the transition] but others will follow," he added. |
Mr Essebsi, who is from the Nidaa Tounes (Tunisia's Call) party, came out on top in the poll, according to one of his officials. | |
"Essebsi is ahead according to initial results, with a big difference to the next candidate," campaign manager Mohsen Marzouk told reporters, but he admitted there was "a strong possibility of a second round". | |
Mr Essebsi was the frontrunner after his party came first in the parliamentary election. | |
But critics say the 87-year-old, who served in the governments of post-independence leader Habib Bourguiba as well as Mr Ben Ali, represents the past. | |
"Tunisians will have their say and I will accept their choice to consolidate Tunisia's transition," Mr Essebsi told reporters after voting in Tunis. | "Tunisians will have their say and I will accept their choice to consolidate Tunisia's transition," Mr Essebsi told reporters after voting in Tunis. |
Correspondents say his main opposition came from Mr Marzouki, the interim president and a human rights campaigner who has cast himself as a guardian of the spirit of the revolution. | |
Mr Marzouki's camp insisted the contest was neck and neck, with their candidate possibly ahead by a small margin. | |
"At the worst we are even but at best we're between 2 and 4% ahead," Mr Marzouki's campaign manager Adnene Mancer told reporters. "Our chances are good as we go into a runoff." | |
Among the other candidates were Parliamentary Speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar, Republican Party leader Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, female magistrate Kalthoum Kannou and businessman Slim Riahi. | |
The Islamist party Ennahda, which led Tunisia's last government but was beaten by Nidaa Tounes in October's parliamentary election, did not field a candidate. | The Islamist party Ennahda, which led Tunisia's last government but was beaten by Nidaa Tounes in October's parliamentary election, did not field a candidate. |
A statement from Ennahda leader Rachid Ghannouchi spoke of wanting "to avoid deepening polarisation or dividing the country". Ennahda's rise had led to concerns among more secular-minded Tunisians that Islamists would dominate politics. | A statement from Ennahda leader Rachid Ghannouchi spoke of wanting "to avoid deepening polarisation or dividing the country". Ennahda's rise had led to concerns among more secular-minded Tunisians that Islamists would dominate politics. |
Tunisia is still facing the spectre of civil unrest and terrorism, with Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou warning of "serious security threats" near the Algerian border where al-Qaeda militants are said to be hiding. | Tunisia is still facing the spectre of civil unrest and terrorism, with Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou warning of "serious security threats" near the Algerian border where al-Qaeda militants are said to be hiding. |