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Paraguay votes in key elections Paraguayans vote in key elections
(about 5 hours later)
The people of Paraguay are taking part in elections that could end 61 years of domination by one party. The people of Paraguay have voted in elections that could end 61 years of domination by one party.
The Colorado Party has been in power since 1947, the longest-serving party in continuous rule in the world.The Colorado Party has been in power since 1947, the longest-serving party in continuous rule in the world.
The outgoing President, Nicanor Duarte, has accused Venezuela of trying to meddle in the elections - a charge denied by President Hugo Chavez. Its candidate, Blanca Ovelar, is facing a serious challenge from a left-wing former bishop, Fernando Lugo, and a retired general, Lino Oviedo.
The main contenders for the presidency include Colorado's candidate, a former bishop and a retired general. The opposition has voiced fears of electoral fraud. The Organisation of American States has sent observers.
Observers say the Colorado Party is facing a serious electoral challenge for the first time during its time in power, which has included the long dictatorship of General Alfredo Stroessner.
Leftist claimsLeftist claims
The main challenger is former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo, who brought together leftist unions, indigenous people and poor farmers into a coalition to form the centre-left Patriotic Alliance for Change. class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7354275.stm">Final rally for Paraguay hopefuls The Colorado Party's main challenger is Mr Lugo, who brought together leftist unions, indigenous people and poor farmers into a coalition to form the centre-left Patriotic Alliance for Change.
He rejects accusations from outgoing President Duarte that he would follow the style of leftist leaders in Bolivia and Venezuela if elected. class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7354275.stm">Final rally for Paraguay hopefuls
President Duarte warned that what he called agitators from Venezuela and Ecuador were trying to meddle in the poll. He rejects accusations from outgoing President Nicanor Duarte that he would follow the style of leftist leaders in Bolivia and Venezuela if elected.
Mr Duarte warned that what he called agitators from Venezuela and Ecuador were trying to meddle in the poll.
"My hope is that there are not going to be any clashes and there are not going to be any episodes that might compromise the peaceful living among people and the future of the nation," he said."My hope is that there are not going to be any clashes and there are not going to be any episodes that might compromise the peaceful living among people and the future of the nation," he said.
Poverty
The Colorado Party has for the first time chosen a woman candidate, Blanca Ovelar, who has promised to bring a woman's sensibility to a "clearly macho country".The Colorado Party has for the first time chosen a woman candidate, Blanca Ovelar, who has promised to bring a woman's sensibility to a "clearly macho country".
A third key contender is former army chief Lino Oviedo, who was recently freed from a 10-year prison sentence and exonerated of coup-plotting charges. The BBC's Gary Duffy in Paraguay says the most controversial candidate is the former general Oviedo - who was recently released from jail after a sentence for attempting to stage a military coup was overturned.
Poverty remains widespread in Paraguay, particularly in the rural areas. The economy has been driven by huge hydroelectric schemes and the world's increasing demand for soya. Poverty remains widespread in Paraguay, particularly in the rural areas.
The BBC's Latin American analyst, James Painter, says the authoritarian culture of Gen Stroessner remains and most Paraguayans will be hoping for a less authoritarian system, whoever wins. The economy has been driven by huge hydroelectric schemes and the world's increasing demand for soya.