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Police guard Ecuador vote offices Narrow lead for Ecuador's Correa
(about 6 hours later)
Security around Ecuador's electoral tribunal has been stepped up after protests over a delay in the counting of votes in Sunday's presidential poll. Ecuador's left-wing presidential candidate Rafael Correa has a narrow lead over his opponent Alvaro Noboa, partial first round results show.
A "quick count" by a private firm only processed 72% of the votes before being halted because of technical problems, leading to allegations of fraud. Election officials said that with over half of the votes counted, Mr Correa has polled 25.2% and is less than half a percentage point ahead of his rival.
The official tally only covers 40% of the vote and suggests Alvaro Noboa and Rafael Correa are tied with 25% each. Neither candidate looks set to gain the necessary 40% to win outright, forcing a second round run-off next month.
The two look set to face each other in a run-off vote on 26 November. Protests of fraud erupted earlier after technical problems suspended the count.
Mr Correa has said last Sunday's vote was marred by fraud, but election monitors from the Organisation of American States say they have found no irregularities.
AngerAnger
According to the preliminary count of 72% of the ballots carried out by E-vote, Mr Noboa had 26.7% of the vote and Mr Correa 22.5%.According to the preliminary count of 72% of the ballots carried out by E-vote, Mr Noboa had 26.7% of the vote and Mr Correa 22.5%.
Campaigning for the run-off is expected to be fierceThe findings were rejected by Mr Correa - a former economy minister - who said his exit polls suggested that it was he who enjoyed a slight lead.Campaigning for the run-off is expected to be fierceThe findings were rejected by Mr Correa - a former economy minister - who said his exit polls suggested that it was he who enjoyed a slight lead.
On Monday, some of Mr Correa's supporters gathered outside the electoral tribunal, accusing E-vote and the country's electoral authorities of fraud.On Monday, some of Mr Correa's supporters gathered outside the electoral tribunal, accusing E-vote and the country's electoral authorities of fraud.
They were joined by supporters of some of the other 11 candidates, who were angry about the delay in the counting process.They were joined by supporters of some of the other 11 candidates, who were angry about the delay in the counting process.
The head of the electoral tribunal, Xavier Cazar, dismissed claims of fraud in the "quick count", saying the results matched exit polls conducted by the media.The head of the electoral tribunal, Xavier Cazar, dismissed claims of fraud in the "quick count", saying the results matched exit polls conducted by the media.
Under Ecuadorean law, the electoral authorities have 10 days to present the official results.Under Ecuadorean law, the electoral authorities have 10 days to present the official results.
'Aggressive campaigns''Aggressive campaigns'
The BBC's Daniel Schweimler in the capital, Quito, says the two contenders represent the two sides of a divided country.The BBC's Daniel Schweimler in the capital, Quito, says the two contenders represent the two sides of a divided country.
Mr Noboa - Ecuador's richest man - enjoys much of his support in Ecuador's financial centre, the coastal city of Guayaquil, while his left-wing opponent is popular among the country's rural poor, and in Quito.Mr Noboa - Ecuador's richest man - enjoys much of his support in Ecuador's financial centre, the coastal city of Guayaquil, while his left-wing opponent is popular among the country's rural poor, and in Quito.
Many people in Ecuador are already disillusioned with their politicians, our correspondent says.Many people in Ecuador are already disillusioned with their politicians, our correspondent says.
The fight between Mr Correa and Mr Noboa is likely to be aggressive and is unlikely to restore much faith in the country's politicians, analysts say.The fight between Mr Correa and Mr Noboa is likely to be aggressive and is unlikely to restore much faith in the country's politicians, analysts say.
Popular protests drove the last three elected presidents from power, and only three since 1979 have succeeded in serving full terms.Popular protests drove the last three elected presidents from power, and only three since 1979 have succeeded in serving full terms.