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| Votes counted in East Timor poll | Votes counted in East Timor poll |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Vote are being counted in East Timor after its first presidential election since independence in 2002. | Vote are being counted in East Timor after its first presidential election since independence in 2002. |
| UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the calm and orderly election, and the indications of a high turnout. | UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the calm and orderly election, and the indications of a high turnout. |
| Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, is one of eight candidates seeking to replace Xanana Gusmao, who is stepping down. | Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, is one of eight candidates seeking to replace Xanana Gusmao, who is stepping down. |
| Many are hoping the vote will help resolve political tensions and instability in the troubled nation. | Many are hoping the vote will help resolve political tensions and instability in the troubled nation. |
| Clashes last summer between rival military factions resulted in street violence that left 30 people dead. | Clashes last summer between rival military factions resulted in street violence that left 30 people dead. |
| Official results are not expected until 16 April, but a spokesman for the electoral commission said preliminary results could begin to emerge on Tuesday. | |
| Analysts say an outright victory by one candidate is unlikely, which would mean a run-off vote next month. | |
| 'Right to vote' | 'Right to vote' |
| "The Secretary General is heartened that the election was conducted in a general atmosphere of order and calm, and that the initial indications show high voter turnout," Mr Ban's office said in a statement. | "The Secretary General is heartened that the election was conducted in a general atmosphere of order and calm, and that the initial indications show high voter turnout," Mr Ban's office said in a statement. |
| "He hopes that calm will prevail while the counting proceeds and when the results are announced." | "He hopes that calm will prevail while the counting proceeds and when the results are announced." |
| Despite some flaws, despite some intimidation, it can be said to be free and fair Jose Ramos-Horta class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6539337.stm">Cautiouse optimism at polls Long lines of people waited patiently to cast their vote on Monday. | |
| "I'm happy because we have the right to vote for people to choose the right president," said Mr Gusmao as he waited his turn. | "I'm happy because we have the right to vote for people to choose the right president," said Mr Gusmao as he waited his turn. |
| Mr Gusmao has said he intends to run for prime minister in general elections set for June that will decide a new parliament and government. | Mr Gusmao has said he intends to run for prime minister in general elections set for June that will decide a new parliament and government. |
| 'Free and fair' | 'Free and fair' |
| Monday's vote was being seen as a trial run for that poll. | Monday's vote was being seen as a trial run for that poll. |
| Just over half of East Timor's population of one million was eligible to vote. | |
| Election observers reported few problems but extra ballot papers had to be delivered by UN helicopter to several districts where they ran out with people still waiting to vote. | Election observers reported few problems but extra ballot papers had to be delivered by UN helicopter to several districts where they ran out with people still waiting to vote. |
| "Despite some flaws, despite some intimidation, it can be said to be free and fair," said Mr Ramos-Horta. | "Despite some flaws, despite some intimidation, it can be said to be free and fair," said Mr Ramos-Horta. |
| Mr Ramos-Horta faces tough competition for the presidencyHe has been seen as the leading contender to replace Mr Gusmao. | |
| But Mr Ramos-Horta faces challenges from the powerful Fretilin Party chairman Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres and Fernando "Lasama" De Araujo, the chairman of the opposition Democrat Party. | But Mr Ramos-Horta faces challenges from the powerful Fretilin Party chairman Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres and Fernando "Lasama" De Araujo, the chairman of the opposition Democrat Party. |
| UN support | UN support |
| Some 3,000 international police and troops were on the streets to provide security for the polls. | Some 3,000 international police and troops were on the streets to provide security for the polls. |
| These troops - mainly Australian - have been in East Timor since June last year to help stabilise the country after the clashes, which caused thousands to flee their homes. | These troops - mainly Australian - have been in East Timor since June last year to help stabilise the country after the clashes, which caused thousands to flee their homes. |
| The UN expects to be in East Timor for many years, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in the capital Dili. | The UN expects to be in East Timor for many years, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in the capital Dili. |
| But however smoothly this election goes, our correspondent says, restoring effective government will be a long-term task. | But however smoothly this election goes, our correspondent says, restoring effective government will be a long-term task. |
| Last year's crisis re-opened deep splits in East Timorese society, many dating back to the long war against Indonesia's rule. | Last year's crisis re-opened deep splits in East Timorese society, many dating back to the long war against Indonesia's rule. |