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Mexico votes in mid-term elections marked by violence Mexico votes in mid-term elections marked by violence
(about 4 hours later)
Polls have opened in Mexico mid-term elections which are being seen as a test for President Enrique Pena Nieto.Polls have opened in Mexico mid-term elections which are being seen as a test for President Enrique Pena Nieto.
Eighty million people are eligible to select the lower house of congress, hundreds of mayors and nine governors.Eighty million people are eligible to select the lower house of congress, hundreds of mayors and nine governors.
The run-up to the poll has been marked by violence with drug cartels blamed for the deaths of several candidates.The run-up to the poll has been marked by violence with drug cartels blamed for the deaths of several candidates.
On Sunday morning, protesters and parents of the 43 students who disappeared last year burned election material in the town of Tixtla. On Sunday morning, protesters and parents of 43 students who disappeared last year burned election material in the town of Tixtla.
They say they want answers about what happened to the students before elections are held.They say they want answers about what happened to the students before elections are held.
A dissident teachers' union has also burned ballots and ransacked offices of political parties to express its anger at education reforms.A dissident teachers' union has also burned ballots and ransacked offices of political parties to express its anger at education reforms.
Analysis by Katy Watson, BBC News, Mexico City
Ahead of the elections, there was a great deal of pessimism - the feeling among many that votes do not really matter, politicians here are all the same, and violence will continue no matter what.
But at a polling stations on Sunday, in relatively peaceful Mexico City, there was a sense of duty among many - that voting was the only way to make a difference. Asked what their main concern was and almost without exception, the response among voters was: 'Security.' People here are worried about where the country is heading.
Despite President Pena Nieto's promises to restore peace in Mexico, these elections have proved otherwise. They have been some of the most violent in recent history.
President Pena Nieto has deployed federal police and troops to guard polling stations.President Pena Nieto has deployed federal police and troops to guard polling stations.
His spokesperson Eduard Sanchez said on Saturday: "Mexicans have the right to vote in peace... [we] will take all necessary measures within the framework of legality'' to protect the elections. His spokesman Eduard Sanchez said on Saturday: "Mexicans have the right to vote in peace... [we] will take all necessary measures within the framework of legality'' to protect the elections.
Opinion polls show Mr Pena Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party and its allies are expected to retain a small majority in Congress.Opinion polls show Mr Pena Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party and its allies are expected to retain a small majority in Congress.
These elections are a test for the president who promised to bring peace to Mexico when he became leader in 2012, says the BBC's Katy Watson in Mexico City.
The months of campaigning have shown that peace is still a long way off, our correspondent says.
Ahead of the polls opening, the CNTE teachers' union attacked the offices of five political parties in Chiapas state in the south of the country.Ahead of the polls opening, the CNTE teachers' union attacked the offices of five political parties in Chiapas state in the south of the country.
In Guerrero state, explosive devices were thrown into a conservative party's office.In Guerrero state, explosive devices were thrown into a conservative party's office.
Meanwhile in Oaxaca, as well as Guerrero, tens of thousands of ballot papers were burnt by protesters.Meanwhile in Oaxaca, as well as Guerrero, tens of thousands of ballot papers were burnt by protesters.
The three states, Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero are expected to be the focus of unrest on Sunday.The three states, Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero are expected to be the focus of unrest on Sunday.
A number of candidates and numerous campaign workers have also been killed in drug-related violence.A number of candidates and numerous campaign workers have also been killed in drug-related violence.
The combination of this unrest has made these elections some of the most violent in recent history, our correspondent says. T