Polling stations in Togo have closed after a tense day of voting for a new president to replace Africa's longest-serving leader, who died in February after 38 years in office.
The poll pitted Faure Gnassingbe, the 39-year-old son of Togo's former president Gnassingbe Eyadema, against a coalition of six opposition parties and effectively became a referendum on four decades of repressive rule by Eyadema's northern clan.
The opposition coalition put forward Emmanuel Akitani-Bob, 74, as its candidate.
Security forces in Togo's capital, Lome, fired tear gas to disperse youths in the opposition stronghold of Be after a tense day of voting.
Weeks of opposition protests demanding a delay in the poll and deadly battles between rival supporters armed with machetes have fuelled fears of more violence in the west African country.
There were isolated skirmishes between rival supporters today but no explosion of violence as feared.
However many angry opposition youths warned there would be trouble if the ruling party was declared victor.
