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Argentina awaits election result Kirchner claims Argentine victory
(about 4 hours later)
Counting is under way in Argentina after an election to choose President Nestor Kirchner's successor ended. Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has claimed victory in Argentina's presidential elections.
Several unofficial exit polls suggest his wife Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is poised to win the vote. Her claim comes after early official results, based on 15% of ballots being counted, gave her 42% of the vote.
Polls suggested she had won up to 46% of the vote, enough to avoid a second round run-off next month. The count backs up earlier exit polls and such a margin would be enough to elect her without a run-off poll.
Official results are not due until late on Sunday night, but the unofficial results sparked immediate celebrations among Mrs Kirchner's supporters. If confirmed by the full count, she will succeed her husband Nestor Kirchner and become Argentina's first elected female president.
If she wins, she will be the first woman elected president of Argentina. "We've won by a wide margin," she told supporters in a speech at her campaign headquarters at a hotel in Buenos Aires.
ELECTION ARITHMETIC 27m eligible voters14 candidates running for presidentWinner needs 45%, or 40% plus 10-point leadIf needed, second round on 25 NovemberNew president to be sworn in on 10 December Q&A: Argentine election Candidate profiles Key questions in election ELECTION ARITHMETIC 27m eligible voters14 candidates running for presidentWinner needs 45%, or 40% plus 10-point leadIf needed, second round on 25 NovemberNew president to be sworn in on 10 December Q&A: Argentine election Candidate profiles Key questions in election As her husband, the outgoing president, stood at her side, she said she would build on his work.
Her main rivals, former beauty queen Elisa Carrio, and Mr Kirchner's ex-Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna, lagged behind her in the exit polls. "We have repositioned the country, fought poverty and unemployment, all these tragedies that have hit Argentines," she said, referring to the country's recovery from the 2001 economic crash.
The polls, reported on Argentine TV stations, said Mrs Kirchner was poised to take between 42 and 46% of the vote, well ahead of Ms Carrio with 23 to 25%. The early count put her nearest rivals as Mr Kirchner's ex-Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna with 21% and former beauty queen Elisa Carrio with 18%.
If Mrs Kirchner takes more than 45% of the vote, or 40% with a 10 point lead over the next nearest candidate, she will win the presidency without facing a second round of voting. If Mrs Kirchner takes more than 45% of the full vote, or 40% with a 10 point lead over the next nearest candidate, she will win the presidency without facing a second round of voting.
Mr Kirchner has governed for the past four years, but surprised the nation by deciding not to seek a fresh term.Mr Kirchner has governed for the past four years, but surprised the nation by deciding not to seek a fresh term.
Polling was extended by one hour in some parts of the country to 1900 local time (2200 GMT) to accommodate a late rush of voters. Roberto Lavagna and Elisa Carrio are Mrs Kirchner's main rivalsPolling was extended by one hour in some parts of the country to 1900 local time (2200 GMT) to accommodate a late rush of voters.
Roberto Lavagna and Elisa Carrio are Mrs Kirchner's main rivalsBesides a new president, voters were choosing eight provincial governors, a third of the Senate and about half of the Chamber of Deputies. Besides a new president, voters were choosing eight provincial governors, a third of the Senate and about half of the Chamber of Deputies.
Some 27 million people were eligible to vote and people attended polling stations under sunny skies across most of the country. Some 27 million people were eligible to vote.
After casting her vote in her south Patagonian home town of Rio Gallegos, Mrs Kirchner kissed supporters and declared it was "an important day for the continuation of democracy".
"I'm part of the generation that grew up and couldn't vote for anything," she added, referring to the military dictatorship of 1976-83.
Economy and crimeEconomy and crime
The economy and rising crime have been the two main issues in campaigning.The economy and rising crime have been the two main issues in campaigning.
Mr Kirchner has overseen a return to stability and some prosperity since the economy collapsed six years ago, plunging thousands into poverty, the BBC's Daniel Schweimler reports from Buenos Aires.Mr Kirchner has overseen a return to stability and some prosperity since the economy collapsed six years ago, plunging thousands into poverty, the BBC's Daniel Schweimler reports from Buenos Aires.
Argentines give their views on candidates and issuesIn pictures But there are fears over how strong the economy really is and general scepticism over official statistics suggesting inflation is under control.Argentines give their views on candidates and issuesIn pictures But there are fears over how strong the economy really is and general scepticism over official statistics suggesting inflation is under control.
Ms Carrio, the candidate of the centre-left Civic Coalition, is running on an anti-corruption platform and has promised to reduce economic inequality.Ms Carrio, the candidate of the centre-left Civic Coalition, is running on an anti-corruption platform and has promised to reduce economic inequality.
She urged the poorest to vote for her in order to take the election to a second round on 25 November.She urged the poorest to vote for her in order to take the election to a second round on 25 November.
The other 12 candidates include Mr Lavagna of the centrist Coalition for an Advanced Nation and a well-known free-market economist, Ricardo Lopez Murphy.The other 12 candidates include Mr Lavagna of the centrist Coalition for an Advanced Nation and a well-known free-market economist, Ricardo Lopez Murphy.
Mrs Kirchner's critics have attacked her for failing to outline exactly what her policies are, but voters who spoke to the BBC's Will Grant in Buenos Aires said the opposition had failed to offer any real alternative.Mrs Kirchner's critics have attacked her for failing to outline exactly what her policies are, but voters who spoke to the BBC's Will Grant in Buenos Aires said the opposition had failed to offer any real alternative.
Surprise candidateSurprise candidate
Just a few months ago, Mr Kirchner was riding high in the opinion polls and looked set to continue for a second term.Just a few months ago, Mr Kirchner was riding high in the opinion polls and looked set to continue for a second term.
HAVE YOUR SAY The husband wife political swap reeks of corruption and nepotism Brian, New York, USA Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The husband wife political swap reeks of corruption and nepotism Brian, New York, USA Send us your comments
However, it was announced in July that his wife Cristina, senator for Buenos Aires province, would stand in his place. No explanation was given.However, it was announced in July that his wife Cristina, senator for Buenos Aires province, would stand in his place. No explanation was given.
As candidate for the governing Front for Victory, she has promised to continue her husband's centre-left policies.As candidate for the governing Front for Victory, she has promised to continue her husband's centre-left policies.
As well as facing comparisons with Eva Peron, Argentina's legendary former first lady, Mrs Kirchner has been compared to former US First Lady Hillary Clinton, who is also a lawyer and senator seeking to become the first elected female president of her country.As well as facing comparisons with Eva Peron, Argentina's legendary former first lady, Mrs Kirchner has been compared to former US First Lady Hillary Clinton, who is also a lawyer and senator seeking to become the first elected female president of her country.
"I don't want to be compared with Hillary Clinton or with Evita Peron, or with anybody," she said recently."I don't want to be compared with Hillary Clinton or with Evita Peron, or with anybody," she said recently.
"There's nothing better than being yourself.""There's nothing better than being yourself."