An East Timorese independence hero faced off against a former prime minister in parliamentary elections yesterday seen as key to returning the nation to stability after a violent year.
Xanana Gusmao, revered for his role in East Timor's struggle for freedom from Indonesia, was making a bid to strip power from the Fretilin party, which has dominated politics since a UN-led vote for independence in 1999.
Twelve other parties were running, but the fiercest battle was between Gusmao's National Congress for the Reconstruction of East Timor, known as CNRT, and the left-leaning Fretilin of rival Mari Alkatiri, the former prime minister and once an ally in the resistance.
Voting at about 700 polling stations was incident-free, chief UN electoral officer Steven Wagenseil said after the close of polls. Turnout appeared to be lower than during two rounds of voting earlier this year for the largely ceremonial post of president.
"I hope they fulfill their promises to rebuild our house which was burned down last year," said Lucinda Brandao, who lives at a refugee camp with her husband and two children. "The only solution to develop this country is democratic elections."
Ballot boxes were to be transported to district counting centers under the eyes of 500 foreign observers and 3,000 peacekeepers. Preliminary results are expected in several days.
East Timor descended into chaos in April and May of last year, when fighting between police and army forces killed 37 people and drove 155,000 from their homes.
Campaigning was relatively peaceful, although two Gusmao party workers were shot dead after a rally last month, and dozens were injured last week by stone throwing.
Several candidates were confident of victory, but analysts do not expect an outright majority for any party, meaning a coalition government may be negotiated.
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