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Philippines vote-counting begins Philippines vote-counting begins
(about 11 hours later)
Officials have begun to tally votes in the Philippines, following mid-term elections marred by months of violence. Officials have begun the laborious process of manually counting votes in the Philippines, following mid-term elections marred by months of violence.
Police said voting had been relatively peaceful - although at least six people were killed, bringing the death toll to more than 110 in the past three months. Voting was mainly peaceful - but two teachers died counting votes as their school was set on fire on Monday night, following eight deaths during the poll.
Millions turned out to choose national and local representatives. The count, done manually, could take weeks. More than 110 people have now been killed in the past three months.
President Gloria Arroyo said the country was at a crossroads and called for all parties to respect the results. Millions voted for national and local politicians. President Gloria Arroyo said the results should be respected.
After casting her ballot in the town of Lubao, north of the capital Manila, she said: "There was intense rivalry during the campaign, but we should have a good heart, win or lose." After casting her ballot in the town of Lubao, north of the capital Manila, she said the country was at a crossroads.
"There was intense rivalry during the campaign, but we should have a good heart, win or lose."
Corruption 'rampant'Corruption 'rampant'
In total, about 87,000 candidates were contesting nearly 18,000 positions.In total, about 87,000 candidates were contesting nearly 18,000 positions.
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.
But there have been claims of rampant violence, corruption and vote-buying, and observers expect the elections to make little difference at a national level.But there have been claims of rampant violence, corruption and vote-buying, and observers expect the elections to make little difference at a national level.
More than 110 people died during the three-month campaign, and some experts have warned of more violence during the lengthy vote-count.More than 110 people died during the three-month campaign, and some experts have warned of more violence during the lengthy vote-count.
But the national police chief, Oscar Calderon, said violence during Monday's polling had not dampened voters' spirits. The two teachers died when five masked gunmen stormed into a school overnight, poured petrol onto ballot boxes and set the building on fire.
The national police chief, Oscar Calderon, said violence during Monday's polling had not dampened voters' spirits.
"We have noted a relatively peaceful situation nationwide, and I am confident that this will be the ultimate outcome until after the entire election process is completed," he said."We have noted a relatively peaceful situation nationwide, and I am confident that this will be the ultimate outcome until after the entire election process is completed," he said.