Voting has closed in the Philippines for the country's presidential, parliamentary and local governmental elections.
More than 100 people were killed during the campaigns, 29 of whom were candidates. There have also been reports of 16 further deaths since voting began.
Before the polls opened, the presidential candidates attended a mass in the capital Manila to pray for peaceful and honest elections.
Opinion polls suggested that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo could beat action movie star Fernando Poe by a 7-point margin, with three other challengers left as also-rans.
A credible exit poll is not expected before late tomorrow, and the final results could take a month.
Mrs Arroyo's selling point has been her experience, even though many analysts see her three-year period in office as unremarkable.
Poverty, corruption and rebel violence are endemic as foreign debt balloons and the economy struggles to keep pace with much of the rest of Asia.
Mr Poe is an icon among the poor for his roles as a champion to the underdog, but he let an early advantage slip away by relying on image more than substance.
A statement released by the military late today said a total of
114 people had been killed during the election period, and nearly
200 injured.
