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Paraguay polls suggest new leader Opposition victorious in Paraguay
(about 4 hours later)
Partial official results from the presidential election in Paraguay have given an early lead to opposition candidate Fernando Lugo. Former Roman Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo has won Paraguay's presidential election, ending more than six decades of rule by the Colorado Party.
With about half of the votes counted, the former Catholic bishop has a lead of about 8% over the governing Colorado Party's candidate, Blanca Ovelar. With results declared in most polling stations, Mr Lugo has 41% of the vote.
Five media exit polls have also pointed to victory for Mr Lugo. His Colorado Party rival, Blanca Ovelar, has 31% and former army chief Lino Oviedo 22%.
If the results are confirmed, it would mean the end of the Colorado Party's 61-year domination. The BBC's Gary Duffy in the capital Asuncion says many wanted a leadership change to help confront the poverty and unemployment rife in the country.
The BBC's Gary Duffy in Paraguay said while the usual caution around media exit polls should be exercised, there is consistency between them. Mr Lugo brought together leftist unions, indigenous people and poor farmers into a coalition to form the centre-left Patriotic Alliance for Change.
Long queues had been reported at some polling stations, indicating a high turnout. Observers say that the man often described as the "bishop for the poor", is a virtual political novice, best known for his advocacy of land reform and calls to renegotiate an energy treaty with neighbouring Brazil. I invite Paraguayans of all political types, even the ones who don't share our ideals, to help this country that was once great be great again Fernando Lugo
The Organisation of American States has sent more than 70 observers. Speaking to his supporters at his campaign headquarters, Mr Lugo said the result showed that little people could also win and that this was the Paraguay he had dreamt about - a country for everyone.
Before the election, opposition politicians had voiced fears there could be electoral fraud, "I invite Paraguayans of all political types, even the ones who don't share our ideals, to help this country that was once great be great again," he told the cheering crowd.
The Colorado Party has been in power since 1947, the longest-serving party in continuous rule in the world. Our correspondent says that news of Mr Lugo's win triggered celebrations, with the skies above Asuncion being filled with fireworks lit by his supporters.
Its candidate, Blanca Ovelar, is facing a serious challenge from the left-wing Mr Lugo, and a retired general, Lino Oviedo. Challenges ahead
Leftist claims Mr Lugo's victory brings to an end one of the longest periods of continuous rule by any party in the world - the Colorado Party has been in power since 1947. Blanca Ovelar was the Colorado Party's first female candidate
The Colorado Party's main challenger, Mr Lugo, has brought together leftist unions, indigenous people and poor farmers into a coalition to form the centre-left Patriotic Alliance for Change. Blanca Ovelar had been campaigning to be the country's first woman president, but her efforts were undermined by internal party divisions, our correspondent says.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7354275.stm">Final rally for Paraguay hopefuls The switch in power is also the latest in a series of election triumphs by leftist, or centre-left, leaders in South America.
He rejects accusations from outgoing President Nicanor Duarte that he would follow the style of leftist leaders in Bolivia and Venezuela if elected. But Mr Lugo has rejected accusations from outgoing President Nicanor Duarte that he will follow the style of leftist leaders in Bolivia and Venezuela once in office.
Mr Duarte warned that what he called agitators from Venezuela and Ecuador were trying to meddle in the poll. Mr Duarte had 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. Our correspondent says the celebrations will last well into the night in Asuncion, but there seems little doubt that the challenges facing the new president when he takes office in August will be enormous.
The Colorado Party has for the first time chosen a woman candidate, Blanca Ovelar, who promised to bring a woman's sensibility to a "clearly macho country". Poverty remains widespread in Paraguay, particularly in the rural areas and many are forced to leave the country in search of work.
Are you in Paraquay? What do you think of the election result? Send us your comment using the form below.
The BBC's Gary Duffy 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. name="say">
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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.