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E Timor votes for new president E Timor votes for new president
(about 1 hour later)
The people of East Timor are voting in the country's first presidential election since it gained independence from Indonesia five years ago. The people of East Timor are voting in a presidential election seen as critical for the country's future.
They must choose between Nobel Peace winner Jose Ramos-Horta and the speaker of parliament, Francisco Guterres. Their choice is between Nobel Peace winner Jose Ramos-Horta and the speaker of parliament, Francisco Guterres.
The post is largely ceremonial, but turnout is expected to be high as voters press for change. The winner will succeed Xanana Gusmao, who has led the nation since it became an independent nation five years ago.
UN police, backed by international troops, are helping to ensure security, after violence in the first round. Despite the post of president being largely ceremonial, voters are seeing this poll as a chance to push for change, and turnout appears to be high.
The BBC's Lucy Williamson in the capital Dili says there is a strong demand for change as the people of East Timor have seen little improvement in the economy since independence, and a political crisis last year, which provoked violent unrest, has helped to undermine voter confidence. The BBC's Lucy Williamson in the capital Dili says there is a strong demand for improvements to the country's fortunes, as there has been little change in the poverty-stricken economy since independence.
A political crisis last year, which provoked violent unrest, has also undermined people's confidence, she says.
Campaign policiesCampaign policies
Current interim Prime Minister Mr Ramos-Horta has promised to tackle East Timor's deep economic problems by encouraging foreign direct investment in the country. This is the second and final round of polling, called after the first round last month failed to produce a decisive winner.
Mr Guterres has focused his campaign on maintaining security. The two men still in the running are both strong contenders, but both have pledged to respect the result of the poll.
Both candidates have pledged to accept the results of this second round run-off. Analysts say Mr Ramos-Horta - the current prime minister - is the favourite to win as most of the six losing candidates in the first round are urging their supporters to back him.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6637613.stm">Young people want change class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6188623.stm">Voices from a troubled nation Mr Ramos-Horta has promised to tackle East Timor's deep economic problems by encouraging direct foreign investment in the country.
Analysts say Mr Ramos-Horta is the favourite to win as most of the six losing candidates in the first round are urging their supporters to back him. class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6637613.stm">Young people want change class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6188623.stm">Voices from a troubled nation But Mr Guterres also has strong support, and has focused his campaign on maintaining security.
But Mr Guterres remains a strong contender, and is backed by the ruling political party Fretilin, which was the political party of the former armed resistance movement and still has strong support across the country. He is backed by the ruling political party Fretilin, which was the political party of the former armed resistance movement and still has a strong following across the country.
Despite clashes between rival candidate's supporters during the first round, the run-up to Wednesday's poll has been peaceful. Whoever becomes the next president will find it difficult to fill the shoes of Mr Gusmao, a charismatic former guerrilla leader who retains widespread popularity.
Mr Gusmao did not seek re-election as president, but hopes to become the next prime minister, a much more powerful position.
He has already announced his intention to run in parliamentary elections in June.
Past violencePast violence
Some 1,200 Australian-led UN peacekeeping troops, backed by a similar number of UN police officers, are helping to ensure security during the election.Some 1,200 Australian-led UN peacekeeping troops, backed by a similar number of UN police officers, are helping to ensure security during the election.
"We are satisfied that there's enough security in place to guarantee that East Timorese will vote in a safe manner on Wednesday," said Finn Reske-Nielsen, deputy head of the UN mission in the country."We are satisfied that there's enough security in place to guarantee that East Timorese will vote in a safe manner on Wednesday," said Finn Reske-Nielsen, deputy head of the UN mission in the country.
Many people in East Timor hope these elections will bring an end to the political tension and instability that has blighted the young country, our correspondent says.Many people in East Timor hope these elections will bring an end to the political tension and instability that has blighted the young country, our correspondent says.
Last summer, more than 30 people were killed, and thousands displaced, in clashes between rival military factions.Last summer, more than 30 people were killed, and thousands displaced, in clashes between rival military factions.