Voting was peaceful but turnout low on Monday as an autonomous Muslim region of the southern Philippines picked leaders in elections that risked undermining a peace deal with Islamic rebels.
Several leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) boycotted the polls in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), angry that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was perceived to have supported traditional clans to repay debts from last year's national elections.
The elections for a governor, vice governor and two dozen members of the regional assembly were also seen as a key test of the government's ability to hold credible polls amid allegations of vote fraud that have shaken Arroyo's presidency.
Election officials reported irregularities in some towns, including voters turned away, ballots filled in ahead of time and more ballots cast than there were registered voters.
The results are expected on Wednesday but few foresee much change in an area where elections have long been settled by money, political machinery and strong-arm tactics.
Zhaldy Datu Puti Ampatuan, son of a powerful provincial governor, was heavily favoured to win the governorship of ARMM ahead of Mahid Mutilan, an Egyptian-trained Muslim cleric, and Ibrahim Paglas, a development-orientated former mayor.
Turnout was estimated at 40-50 percent in the five provinces of the ARMM, set up 16 years ago to give Muslims greater self-rule in the mostly Roman Catholic country.
About 12,000 soldiers and police were deployed to monitor the election. But no significant incidents of violence were reported.
Arroyo's office said on Monday she had not endorsed any candidate, but several MNLF leaders withdrew from the poll because of her perceived backing for Ampatuan, who is running on the ruling coalition's ticket.
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