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Army on alert in Philippines poll Philippines vote draws to a close
(about 3 hours later)
Security forces in the Philippines were on high alert as voters went to the polls in national and local elections. Voting has ended in the Philippines mid-term elections, after a campaign marred by violence.
Security officials said communist rebels were planning to disrupt the vote and thousands of soldiers joined police guarding polling centres. At least three people were killed on polling day, taking the death toll to more than 110 in the three-month election period.
More than 110 people have been killed in a violent election campaign period. The army was deployed in many areas amid fears that private militias and rebel groups would disrupt voting.
Correspondents say the opposition is unlikely to gain enough parliamentary seats to restart a bid to impeach President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Millions turned out to choose members of parliament and local officials. The count is expected to take weeks.
Critics of Mrs Arroyo charge that she cheated to win the presidency in May 2004. In total, about 87,000 candidates were contesting nearly 18,000 positions.
She has already withstood two bids to impeach her and several coup attempts.
Political feuds
About 87,000 candidates have been contesting nearly 18,000 positions.
Polling stations opened at 0700 (2300 GMT Sunday) and closed at 1500 (0700 GMT).
Dynasties dominate poll
As well as elections for the 275-seat parliament, about 45 million voters were choosing governors, provincial and municipal assemblies, local mayors and half of the senate's 24 seats.As well as elections for the 275-seat parliament, about 45 million voters were choosing governors, provincial and municipal assemblies, local mayors and half of the senate's 24 seats.
Voter turnout is typically at least 70% in the Philippines. Masbate is the third-poorest province in the country and during elections it is one of the most violent Jonathan HeadBBC Correspondent class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6652393.stm">Dynasties dominate poll
The coalition supporting President Arroyo is likely to retain control of the parliament, but the latest opinion polls indicate the opposition may gain ground in the senate. Polling stations opened at 0700 (2300 GMT Sunday) and closed at 1500 (0700 GMT) - with voter turnout predicted to be about 70%.
At least three people were reportedly killed as voting took place. A village chief was shot dead in Bucay township in Abra province in the north of the country. Opponents of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo were hoping to gain enough parliamentary seats to restart a bid to impeach her.
They claim she cheated to win the presidency in May 2004.
But correspondents say they are unlikely to win enough seats.
Opinion polls suggest the coalition supporting President Arroyo is likely to retain control of the parliament, but the opposition may gain ground in the senate.
The president has already withstood two bids to impeach her and several coup attempts.
Political feuds
At least three people were reported killed as voting took place.
Two voters died in outbreaks of violence on Basilan island in the south of the country.
Thousands of seats are up for grabs in the election
And a village chief was shot dead in Bucay township in Abra province, Luzon.
In the same province, two policemen were killed on Sunday as they helped election officials carry ballot boxes in Lagayan township.In the same province, two policemen were killed on Sunday as they helped election officials carry ballot boxes in Lagayan township.
The three-month campaign season was marked by violence in which more than 110 people were killed. The BBC's Jonathan Head, reporting from the island of Masbate, said there had been a lack of big national issues in the election.
Private armies The campaign was dominated by local contests and long-standing violent feuds between political rivals, he said.
There is a tradition in some areas of the Philippines of violent feuds between political rivals, says the BBC's Jonathan Head, reporting from the island of Masbate. People in Masbate told our correspondent that vote buying was going on even as polling took place - and many people waited until late in the day to negotiate the price of their vote.
Thousands of seats are up for grabs in the electionSome people there told him that vote buying was still going on, even as polling took place, and that many people waited until late in the day to negotiate the price of their vote. The army was deployed to help police control the private armies that are hired to intimidate rival candidates and voters, our correspondent added.
The army was deployed to help police control the private armies that are hired to intimidate rival candidates and voters, our correspondent adds. Planned offensive
Security officials also warned of plans by the communist New People's Army to disrupt voting by attacking military and civilian targets. Earlier, security officials had warned that the communist New People's Army was planning to disrupt voting by attacking military and civilian targets.
"This planned tactical offensive is the NPA's desperate attempt to undermine our democratic process," said national police's director general, Oscar Calderon."This planned tactical offensive is the NPA's desperate attempt to undermine our democratic process," said national police's director general, Oscar Calderon.
Two soldiers were killed and 13 wounded in an ambush on a military convoy on Saturday in Mountain Province in Luzon.Two soldiers were killed and 13 wounded in an ambush on a military convoy on Saturday in Mountain Province in Luzon.
A rebel spokesman quoted by Associated Press news agency said the attack was carried out to avenge alleged military killings of left-wing activists.A rebel spokesman quoted by Associated Press news agency said the attack was carried out to avenge alleged military killings of left-wing activists.