As Sri Lanka votes for new president, here are the key issues

Tunisia's new President Kais Saied took the oath of office on Wednesday after his surprise election victory over champions of the political establishment.

Saied, a conservative academic with no previous political experience who won the overwhelming support of younger voters in an October 13 runoff, was sworn in before members of the constituent assembly and other top state bodies.

Tunisia's new President Kais Saied took the oath of office on Wednesday after his surprise election victory over champions of the political establishment. Saied, a conservative academic with no previous political experience who won the overwhelming support of younger voters in an October 13 runoff, was sworn in before members of the constituent assembly and other top state bodies.

New Tunisia President Kais Saied sworn in after poll victory

Bolivia burns in the aftermath of presidential elections

Afghans go to the polls Saturday to vote in a presidential election that few expect will have much effect in bringing peace to the war-torn country.

With the Taliban threatening violence against anyone who participates and concern that the widespread fraud which blighted previous elections will resurface, analysts fear a low turnout will seriously undermine the result.

"The security threats, coupled with a trust issue in the election's transparency, may translate into a very low turnout," Afghanistan analyst Ahmad Saeedi told AFP ahead of the vote.

"That would undermine the legitimacy of the election process and any future government that may come out of it."

The stakes are high.

Whatever the turnout, Afghans are choosing a leader who will almost certainly have to negotiate with the Taliban at some point -- even though the hardline Islamist group is doing everything it can to undermine the process.

Eighteen names were originally on the ballot, but the poll is considered a two-horse race between current President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, the country's chief executive.

Both claimed victory in the 2014 election -- a vote so tainted by fraud and violence that it led to a constitutional crisis and forced then-US President Barack Obama to push for a compromise that saw Abdullah awarded the subordinate role.

Five years of bitter rivalry later, the parallels are unsettling, yet nothing suggests President Donald Trump would be willing to play such a role in any fresh disputes.

In fact, analysts suggest the new Washington administration has largely undermined the Afghan government by excluding Kabul from months of talks it held with the Taliban in a bid to extract US forces from America's longest-running war.&nbsp;

Agreement seemed imminent

The Taliban have also refused to negotiate with Ghani -- whom they consider a Washington puppet -- and he was totally marginalised during negotiations.

An agreement between the Taliban and Washington seemed imminent less than a month ago and observers thought the election could be suspended yet again to allow for the implementation of the withdrawal plan, even as Ghani insisted it must go ahead.

Ultimately, Trump scuppered the deal at the last moment.

That decision boosted what has been a fairly lacklustre election campaign, strengthening Ghani's argument the winner needs a strong mandate to negotiate with the Taliban to finally achieve a lasting peace.

But a low turnout is still a more likely result.

With the Taliban controlling or influencing vast swathes of Afghanistan, it was impossible to hold rallies in many parts of the country.

Campaigning was also hampered by violence from the first day, when Ghani's running mate was targeted in a bomb-and-gun attack that left at least 20 dead.&nbsp;

More than 1,300 civilians were killed in the country in the first half of 2019, according to the UN.&nbsp;

Logistically, authorities plan to open almost 5,000 polling stations -- 500 more were abandoned because of a lack of security.

The interior ministry says 72,000 forces will help to secure polling stations.

Election officials say this will be one the cleanest election yet held, having gone the distance with equipment such as biometric fingerprint readers and better training for poll workers to ensure the vote is fair.

Still, the US embassy in Kabul has said it is "disturbed by so many complaints about security, lack of an equal playing field and fraud".

Some 9.6 million Afghans are registered to vote, but many have lost any hope that after 18 years of war that any leader can unify the fractious country and improve basic living conditions, boost the stagnating economy or bolster security.

"It is very likely that I do not vote," 29-year-old Jawad Zawulistani told AFP.&nbsp;

"I have lost hope that my vote will be of any importance and the result of election would bring any change to my life and to my people's lives."

Results are not expected until October 19. Candidates need more than 50 per cent of the vote to be declared outright winner, or else the top two will head for a second round in November. 
&nbsp;

Afghans go to the polls Saturday to vote in a presidential election that few expect will have much effect in bringing peace to the war-torn country. With the Taliban threatening violence against anyone who participates and concern that the widespread fraud which blighted previous elections will resurface, analysts fear a low turnout will seriously undermine the result.

Afghans go to the polls Saturday to vote in a presidential election that few expect will have much effect in bringing peace to the war-torn country. With the Taliban threatening violence against anyone who participates and concern that the widespread fraud which blighted previous elections will resurface, analysts fear a low turnout will seriously undermine the result. "The security threats, coupled with a trust issue in the election's transparency, may translate into a very low turnout," Afghanistan analyst Ahmad Saeedi told AFP ahead of the vote. "That would undermine the legitimacy of the election process and any future government that may come out of it." The stakes are high. Whatever the turnout, Afghans are choosing a leader who will almost certainly have to negotiate with the Taliban at some point -- even though the hardline Islamist group is doing everything it can to undermine the process. Eighteen names were originally on the ballot, but the poll is considered a two-horse race between current President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, the country's chief executive. Both claimed victory in the 2014 election -- a vote so tainted by fraud and violence that it led to a constitutional crisis and forced then-US President Barack Obama to push for a compromise that saw Abdullah awarded the subordinate role. Five years of bitter rivalry later, the parallels are unsettling, yet nothing suggests President Donald Trump would be willing to play such a role in any fresh disputes. In fact, analysts suggest the new Washington administration has largely undermined the Afghan government by excluding Kabul from months of talks it held with the Taliban in a bid to extract US forces from America's longest-running war. Agreement seemed imminent The Taliban have also refused to negotiate with Ghani -- whom they consider a Washington puppet -- and he was totally marginalised during negotiations. An agreement between the Taliban and Washington seemed imminent less than a month ago and observers thought the election could be suspended yet again to allow for the implementation of the withdrawal plan, even as Ghani insisted it must go ahead. Ultimately, Trump scuppered the deal at the last moment. That decision boosted what has been a fairly lacklustre election campaign, strengthening Ghani's argument the winner needs a strong mandate to negotiate with the Taliban to finally achieve a lasting peace. But a low turnout is still a more likely result. With the Taliban controlling or influencing vast swathes of Afghanistan, it was impossible to hold rallies in many parts of the country. Campaigning was also hampered by violence from the first day, when Ghani's running mate was targeted in a bomb-and-gun attack that left at least 20 dead. More than 1,300 civilians were killed in the country in the first half of 2019, according to the UN. Logistically, authorities plan to open almost 5,000 polling stations -- 500 more were abandoned because of a lack of security. The interior ministry says 72,000 forces will help to secure polling stations. Election officials say this will be one the cleanest election yet held, having gone the distance with equipment such as biometric fingerprint readers and better training for poll workers to ensure the vote is fair. Still, the US embassy in Kabul has said it is "disturbed by so many complaints about security, lack of an equal playing field and fraud". Some 9.6 million Afghans are registered to vote, but many have lost any hope that after 18 years of war that any leader can unify the fractious country and improve basic living conditions, boost the stagnating economy or bolster security. "It is very likely that I do not vote," 29-year-old Jawad Zawulistani told AFP. "I have lost hope that my vote will be of any importance and the result of election would bring any change to my life and to my people's lives." Results are not expected until October 19. Candidates need more than 50 per cent of the vote to be declared outright winner, or else the top two will head for a second round in November.

Little hope for peace as Afghans prepare for weekend vote

In a dusty Kabul suburb, hundreds of workers check and recheck biometric fingerprint readers&nbsp;part of a massive effort to ensure Afghanistan's upcoming presidential election is not tainted by fraud allegations that have marred previous polls.

The young employees at the Independent Election Commission (IEC) are rushing through final technical preparations for the vote, set for September 28.

The stakes for the IEC are high, with the question of turnout in Afghanistan's fourth presidential election since the fall of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-taliban-tells-teachers-students-to-block-presidential-elections-or-risk-death-250375">Taliban</a>&nbsp;crucial to whether it is seen as fair and transparent.

The Taliban have openly threatened to disrupt the polls and killed 26 people in a bomb blast at a campaign rally being held by President Ashraf Ghani earlier this week.

Turnout in previous polls has historically been low. The United Nations estimated it at around 32 per cent for the 2009 elections, while no credible figure was available for the 2014 vote.

Each time the exercise has been tainted with accusations of irregularities particularly in 2014.

Then, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bomb-blast-hits-pro-ghani-campaign-gathering-in-central-afghanistan-source-250173">Ghani</a> and rival Abdullah Abdullah both claimed to have won, plunging Afghanistan into months of crisis before the US and the UN pressured them to form a "national unity government", with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-president-ashraf-ghani-sees-his-chance-in-upcoming-elections-after-collapse-of-us-taliban-talks-250287">Ghani</a> as president and Abdullah his chief executive.

The two are once again facing off in 2019 as the likely favourites, underscoring the comparison to 2014.

"People have lost their trust and confidence because of serious fraud in the past elections," Sughra Saadat, spokeswoman for the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA), told AFP.

"So far, election bodies have failed to restore people's trust."

Without such faith in the process, it is hard to see why voters should risk their lives to participate.

Yet the winner will need a strong mandate if he wants to pose as an interlocutor with the Taliban in any future talks.

The insurgents have always considered Ghani a "puppet" of Washington and ensured he was sidelined from talks which have since fallen apart&nbsp;between Washington and the Taliban that would have paved the way for the US to begin withdrawing troops.

If re-elected, Ghani hopes to put the Afghan government back in the mix.

Secret weapon&nbsp;

The IEC's chairwoman, Hawa Alam Nooristani, assured AFP that this vote will be different "because we have worked on rules and regulations, procedures and mechanisms to prevent fraud".

Supervisors in Afghanistan's 34 provinces were recruited in a process overseen by independent organisations such as the TEFA, she added.

Her secret weapon&nbsp;the biometric fingerprint readers which are meant to prevent people from voting more than once was used during the chaotic legislative elections in October last year, but they were only introduced at the eleventh hour.

Untrained staff struggled with glitches such as the devices running out of power, and the result was at best mixed.

This time, she says, all the necessary precautions have been taken&nbsp;in particular, getting technicians from the German company which makes the readers train the IEC workers directly.

Protecting voters&nbsp;and polling station officials&nbsp;remains a top priority.

All observers expect a further wave of violence from the insurgents, who want to undermine the future head of state by discouraging as many of the 9.6 million voters as possible from going to the polls.

Nearly 500 polling stations have already been excluded because security could not be guaranteed, leaving 4,942 across the country to be protected by 72,000 members of the security forces.

The IEC's huge complex is itself a tightly guarded fortress, with four checkpoints and as many barriers to cross before visitors can access it.

Under a blazing sun, workers unload long bundles of canvas from a truck tent&nbsp;which will serve as polling stations in rural areas without the necessary facilities.

Grey metal hangars house the technical operations.

Under one, the voices of around a hundred young people can be heard as they activate and test the biometric readers before stacking them in large blue plastic boxes.

In the next hangar, men fill the same blue boxes with sealed ballots, voter registers, and a variety of materials to guarantee the integrity of the ballot.

Those include invisible ink to mark voter registration cards, with the mark only visible under the light of a small torch contained in the box, batteries included.

Then there's the traditional, low-tech safeguard: bottles of indelible ink into which every voter will dip their finger as they vote.

"It will make a difference," Farid Nader, a supervisor, says hopefully. "Young people will trust the election."

In a dusty Kabul suburb, hundreds of workers check and recheck biometric fingerprint readers part of a massive effort to ensure Afghanistan's upcoming presidential election is not tainted by fraud allegations that have marred previous polls.

In a dusty Kabul suburb, hundreds of workers check and recheck biometric fingerprint readers part of a massive effort to ensure Afghanistan's upcoming presidential election is not tainted by fraud allegations that have marred previous polls. The young employees at the Independent Election Commission (IEC) are rushing through final technical preparations for the vote, set for September 28. The stakes for the IEC are high, with the question of turnout in Afghanistan's fourth presidential election since the fall of the Taliban crucial to whether it is seen as fair and transparent. The Taliban have openly threatened to disrupt the polls and killed 26 people in a bomb blast at a campaign rally being held by President Ashraf Ghani earlier this week. Turnout in previous polls has historically been low. The United Nations estimated it at around 32 per cent for the 2009 elections, while no credible figure was available for the 2014 vote. Each time the exercise has been tainted with accusations of irregularities particularly in 2014. Then, Ghani and rival Abdullah Abdullah both claimed to have won, plunging Afghanistan into months of crisis before the US and the UN pressured them to form a "national unity government", with Ghani as president and Abdullah his chief executive. The two are once again facing off in 2019 as the likely favourites, underscoring the comparison to 2014. "People have lost their trust and confidence because of serious fraud in the past elections," Sughra Saadat, spokeswoman for the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA), told AFP. "So far, election bodies have failed to restore people's trust." Without such faith in the process, it is hard to see why voters should risk their lives to participate. Yet the winner will need a strong mandate if he wants to pose as an interlocutor with the Taliban in any future talks. The insurgents have always considered Ghani a "puppet" of Washington and ensured he was sidelined from talks which have since fallen apart between Washington and the Taliban that would have paved the way for the US to begin withdrawing troops. If re-elected, Ghani hopes to put the Afghan government back in the mix. Secret weapon The IEC's chairwoman, Hawa Alam Nooristani, assured AFP that this vote will be different "because we have worked on rules and regulations, procedures and mechanisms to prevent fraud". Supervisors in Afghanistan's 34 provinces were recruited in a process overseen by independent organisations such as the TEFA, she added. Her secret weapon the biometric fingerprint readers which are meant to prevent people from voting more than once was used during the chaotic legislative elections in October last year, but they were only introduced at the eleventh hour. Untrained staff struggled with glitches such as the devices running out of power, and the result was at best mixed. This time, she says, all the necessary precautions have been taken in particular, getting technicians from the German company which makes the readers train the IEC workers directly. Protecting voters and polling station officials remains a top priority. All observers expect a further wave of violence from the insurgents, who want to undermine the future head of state by discouraging as many of the 9.6 million voters as possible from going to the polls. Nearly 500 polling stations have already been excluded because security could not be guaranteed, leaving 4,942 across the country to be protected by 72,000 members of the security forces. The IEC's huge complex is itself a tightly guarded fortress, with four checkpoints and as many barriers to cross before visitors can access it. Under a blazing sun, workers unload long bundles of canvas from a truck tent which will serve as polling stations in rural areas without the necessary facilities. Grey metal hangars house the technical operations. Under one, the voices of around a hundred young people can be heard as they activate and test the biometric readers before stacking them in large blue plastic boxes. In the next hangar, men fill the same blue boxes with sealed ballots, voter registers, and a variety of materials to guarantee the integrity of the ballot. Those include invisible ink to mark voter registration cards, with the mark only visible under the light of a small torch contained in the box, batteries included. Then there's the traditional, low-tech safeguard: bottles of indelible ink into which every voter will dip their finger as they vote. "It will make a difference," Farid Nader, a supervisor, says hopefully. "Young people will trust the election."

Fraud the main enemy for Afghan election officials

Sri Lanka's ruling coalition became embroiled in a power struggle Tuesday as two challengers came forward to oppose Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to be a candidate for a looming presidential election.

Wickremesinghe had been the clear frontrunner to be the United National Party candidate until parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya and deputy party leader Sajith Premadasa threw their hats into the ring.

The UNP dominates the ruling coalition and is expected to nominate its candidate for the election to be held between November 7 and December 7.

Voting already risks controversy with Gotabaya Rajapakse, younger brother of Sri Lanka's former strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse, leading the opposition bid despite outstanding court cases and criminal inquiries.

Jayasuriya, 78, who played a key role in ending a political crisis last year, said he wants the top office so he can scrap the presidential system which he accused of centralising power.

"I will enter the contest with the intention of abolishing the executive presidency and not to enjoy that office," Jayasuriya said in a statement.

"Since 1995, we have wanted to scrap the presidency, but failed."

Jayasuriya led a campaign by members of parliament in October to oppose incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena's bid to sack Wickremesinghe and install a puppet prime minister.

Hours before his announcement, however, Premadasa, 52, told a hurriedly summoned press conference that he should be the UNP's presidential hopeful.

The son of President Ranasinghe Premadasa who was assassinated by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels in 1993, Premadasa called for a secret ballot of the UNP executive to decide the candidate.

It was not clear when the party would decide, but the election is expected to be formally declared later this month.

Premadasa said he would beat Rajapakse who is considered a strong contender even though he faces corruption cases in Sri Lanka and two civil actions in the United States.

The US cases are over the murder of a newspaper editor and torture of Tamil rebel suspects when he was a top defence ministry official during his brother's rule.

Sirisena broke away from Mahinda Rajapakse's Sri Lanka Freedom Party to win the last election in 2015 with the help of the UNP. However, he later formed a new alliance with Rajapakse.

Squabbles between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe came to a head when Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe in October last year and tried to put former president Mahinda Rajapakse in his place.

The Supreme Court eventually ruled that Sirisena's actions were illegal.

Sirisena's alliance with Rajapakse was also short-lived as Rajapakse has since formed a new party.

Sirisena has not yet announced whether he will seek a new term.

Sri Lanka's ruling coalition became embroiled in a power struggle Tuesday as two challengers came forward to oppose Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to be a candidate for a looming presidential election.

Sri Lanka's ruling coalition became embroiled in a power struggle Tuesday as two challengers came forward to oppose Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to be a candidate for a looming presidential election. Wickremesinghe had been the clear frontrunner to be the United National Party candidate until parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya and deputy party leader Sajith Premadasa threw their hats into the ring. The UNP dominates the ruling coalition and is expected to nominate its candidate for the election to be held between November 7 and December 7. Voting already risks controversy with Gotabaya Rajapakse, younger brother of Sri Lanka's former strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse, leading the opposition bid despite outstanding court cases and criminal inquiries. Jayasuriya, 78, who played a key role in ending a political crisis last year, said he wants the top office so he can scrap the presidential system which he accused of centralising power. "I will enter the contest with the intention of abolishing the executive presidency and not to enjoy that office," Jayasuriya said in a statement. "Since 1995, we have wanted to scrap the presidency, but failed." Jayasuriya led a campaign by members of parliament in October to oppose incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena's bid to sack Wickremesinghe and install a puppet prime minister. Hours before his announcement, however, Premadasa, 52, told a hurriedly summoned press conference that he should be the UNP's presidential hopeful. The son of President Ranasinghe Premadasa who was assassinated by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels in 1993, Premadasa called for a secret ballot of the UNP executive to decide the candidate. It was not clear when the party would decide, but the election is expected to be formally declared later this month. Premadasa said he would beat Rajapakse who is considered a strong contender even though he faces corruption cases in Sri Lanka and two civil actions in the United States. The US cases are over the murder of a newspaper editor and torture of Tamil rebel suspects when he was a top defence ministry official during his brother's rule. Sirisena broke away from Mahinda Rajapakse's Sri Lanka Freedom Party to win the last election in 2015 with the help of the UNP. However, he later formed a new alliance with Rajapakse. Squabbles between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe came to a head when Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe in October last year and tried to put former president Mahinda Rajapakse in his place. The Supreme Court eventually ruled that Sirisena's actions were illegal. Sirisena's alliance with Rajapakse was also short-lived as Rajapakse has since formed a new party. Sirisena has not yet announced whether he will seek a new term.

Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe faces party challenge in the presidential battle

Rushing to register candidates and train poll workers, Tunisia's electoral commission has raced to organise presidential elections after the death of leader Beji Caid Essebsi, hoping to protect the country's nascent democracy.

The Independent Higher Authority for Elections (ISIE) snapped into action when Essebsi died on July 25, facing immediate pressure from a constitutional deadline and parties seeking favourable dates.

The body, whose nine members are elected by parliament, brought the date of scheduled polls forward by two months, fixing the first round for September 15.

The constitution stipulates that elections must be held 90 days after a head of state's death. The first round of voting will take place just seven weeks after the funeral.

In a mid-summer dash, ISIE stocked up on indelible ink and sorted through nearly 100 candidate applications, selecting a final list of 26 hopefuls.

"We're in a sprint to respect the rules," ISIE spokeswoman Hasna Ben Slimane told AFP.&nbsp;

"We have to train 55,000 people for&nbsp;inspectors and polling station staff," she said.&nbsp;

"ISIE has experience. It has already organised six elections, but it's still complicated."

The body has overseen a series of historic polls following the 2011 overthrow of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in an uprising which sparked revolts across the Arab world.

They include Tunisia's first free election in October 2011 and the first free presidential election in 2014 which brought Essebsi to power.

"ISIE's reaction after the death of Caid Essebsi is a sign of its maturity," said history professor Abdeltif Hannachi.

ISIE has registered some 1.5 million, mostly young, new voters this year, success has given that 65 per cent of voters abstained in the first democratic municipal polls in 2018.

The body has pushed to tighten checks on social networks and campaign finances, Ben Slimane said.&nbsp;

It struggled with both in 2014.

Before campaigning kicked off on Monday, the commission sent "warnings" to political parties asking them to delete problematic sponsored Facebook pages, said ISIE chief Nabil Baffoun.

Tunisian electoral monitor Mourakiboun hailed ISIE for its "independence" but its head Mohamed Marzouk regrets that the body has "not detailed the methods of checking expenses and campaign finances".

Accusations of corruption have swirled in the lead up to the polls, culminating in the arrest of media magnate and presidential hopeful Nabil Karoui for alleged money laundering.&nbsp;

His detention fuelled suspicions of flawed justice, pushing ISIE to quickly assure that nothing, even prison, prevented Karoui from being a candidate.

The decision, Hannachi said, "proves the independence of ISIE, which did not yield to the pressure of those who asked it to remove Nabil Karoui from the race".

Observers have said the previous ISIE-run elections, despite their flaws, were transparent and independent.

Hannachi, who praised the commission's work, said ISIE's model could be "exported to other countries in transition, like Sudan and Algeria".

Rushing to register candidates and train poll workers, Tunisia's electoral commission has raced to organise presidential elections after the death of leader Beji Caid Essebsi, hoping to protect the country's nascent democracy.

Rushing to register candidates and train poll workers, Tunisia's electoral commission has raced to organise presidential elections after the death of leader Beji Caid Essebsi, hoping to protect the country's nascent democracy. The Independent Higher Authority for Elections (ISIE) snapped into action when Essebsi died on July 25, facing immediate pressure from a constitutional deadline and parties seeking favourable dates. The body, whose nine members are elected by parliament, brought the date of scheduled polls forward by two months, fixing the first round for September 15. The constitution stipulates that elections must be held 90 days after a head of state's death. The first round of voting will take place just seven weeks after the funeral. In a mid-summer dash, ISIE stocked up on indelible ink and sorted through nearly 100 candidate applications, selecting a final list of 26 hopefuls. "We're in a sprint to respect the rules," ISIE spokeswoman Hasna Ben Slimane told AFP. "We have to train 55,000 people for inspectors and polling station staff," she said. "ISIE has experience. It has already organised six elections, but it's still complicated." The body has overseen a series of historic polls following the 2011 overthrow of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in an uprising which sparked revolts across the Arab world. They include Tunisia's first free election in October 2011 and the first free presidential election in 2014 which brought Essebsi to power. "ISIE's reaction after the death of Caid Essebsi is a sign of its maturity," said history professor Abdeltif Hannachi. ISIE has registered some 1.5 million, mostly young, new voters this year, success has given that 65 per cent of voters abstained in the first democratic municipal polls in 2018. The body has pushed to tighten checks on social networks and campaign finances, Ben Slimane said. It struggled with both in 2014. Before campaigning kicked off on Monday, the commission sent "warnings" to political parties asking them to delete problematic sponsored Facebook pages, said ISIE chief Nabil Baffoun. Tunisian electoral monitor Mourakiboun hailed ISIE for its "independence" but its head Mohamed Marzouk regrets that the body has "not detailed the methods of checking expenses and campaign finances". Accusations of corruption have swirled in the lead up to the polls, culminating in the arrest of media magnate and presidential hopeful Nabil Karoui for alleged money laundering. His detention fuelled suspicions of flawed justice, pushing ISIE to quickly assure that nothing, even prison, prevented Karoui from being a candidate. The decision, Hannachi said, "proves the independence of ISIE, which did not yield to the pressure of those who asked it to remove Nabil Karoui from the race". Observers have said the previous ISIE-run elections, despite their flaws, were transparent and independent. Hannachi, who praised the commission's work, said ISIE's model could be "exported to other countries in transition, like Sudan and Algeria".

Tunisia in 'sprint' to arrange poll after president dies

Algeria cannot hold a presidential election planned for July 4 due to a lack of valid candidates, its constitutional council said on Sunday, prolonging the country`s transition after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/algeria-president-abdelaziz-bouteflika-submits-resignation-with-immediate-effect-207621">President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned</a> two months ago.

The move will likely extend the rule of interim President Abdelkader Bensalah, who was meant to stay only until the vote to elect a new president after Bouteflika ended his 20-year rule in the wake of mass protests.

Demonstrations have since continued, with protesters demanding Bensalah`s resignation and an end to the dominance of the elite who have ruled Algeria since it won independence from France in 1962.&nbsp;

In a statement on state television, the constitutional council said it had received only two candidates, who were deemed invalid. It did not set a new date for the presidential election, asking Bensalah to organise a vote at a later date, state television said.

Bensalah had been appointed as interim leader until July 9.

On Friday, hundreds of thousands again took to the streets of Algiers and other cities to call for his removal and that of Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui, who was appointed by Bouteflika days before he stepped down.

Lieutenant-General Ahmed Gaed Salah, who has been managing the transition, has called on political parties and protesters to meet amongst themselves to discuss a way out of the crisis.

Analysts say the army, a major player in the oil and gas producer, is concerned about the crisis continuing at a time when instability is worsening in neighbouring Libya, where rival forces are fighting over the capital Tripoli. 
&nbsp;

Algeria cannot hold a presidential election planned for July 4 due to a lack of valid candidates, its constitutional council said on Sunday, prolonging the country`s transition after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned two months ago.

Algeria cannot hold a presidential election planned for July 4 due to a lack of valid candidates, its constitutional council said on Sunday, prolonging the country`s transition after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned two months ago. The move will likely extend the rule of interim President Abdelkader Bensalah, who was meant to stay only until the vote to elect a new president after Bouteflika ended his 20-year rule in the wake of mass protests. Demonstrations have since continued, with protesters demanding Bensalah`s resignation and an end to the dominance of the elite who have ruled Algeria since it won independence from France in 1962. In a statement on state television, the constitutional council said it had received only two candidates, who were deemed invalid. It did not set a new date for the presidential election, asking Bensalah to organise a vote at a later date, state television said. Bensalah had been appointed as interim leader until July 9. On Friday, hundreds of thousands again took to the streets of Algiers and other cities to call for his removal and that of Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui, who was appointed by Bouteflika days before he stepped down. Lieutenant-General Ahmed Gaed Salah, who has been managing the transition, has called on political parties and protesters to meet amongst themselves to discuss a way out of the crisis. Analysts say the army, a major player in the oil and gas producer, is concerned about the crisis continuing at a time when instability is worsening in neighbouring Libya, where rival forces are fighting over the capital Tripoli.

Algerian council scraps July 4 presidential election

Election officials in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-gifts-two-mi-24-attack-helicopters-to-afghan-air-force-219184&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj2pK-dkaDiAhXWknAKHWnzC_EQFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw31bUNjDEouRH8c1khzpZB7">Afghanistan </a>should do more to ensure delayed presidential polls can take place in September, the US embassy in Kabul said Thursday.

The election was initially slated for April 20, but as the date drew closer it grew obvious that overwhelmed poll officials were unprepared -- owing to them still tallying results from a nationwide parliamentary ballot in October.

Amid the push to finalise those results, officials first delayed the presidential election until July 20, and then again to September 28.

Final results were only announced this week.

In a statement, the US embassy urged the Independent Election Commission and Afghan authorities "do their part to take the decisions and actions necessary to give the Afghan people their voice at the ballot box this year."

Among its recommendations, the embassy said the election commission should present a clear plan and budget request, as well as hire and train sufficient staff to complete voter registration and preparations.

"The Afghan people deserve the opportunity to choose their next leadership through transparent elections in September," the statement read.

"We are prepared to continue supporting this process'', it added.

The embassy statement comes after Alice Wells, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, met with Afghan leaders in Kabul this week, when she stressed the importance of holding the September election.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/afghanistan/ashraf-ghanis-special-envoy-reaches-delhi-as-india-increases-engagement-with-other-forces-on-afghan-peace-process-219148&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjG8qmCkaDiAhXEheYKHT83BEoQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Bq2l5xL9CKZOLaqFsG-4x">Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's</a> term technically expires May 22, and his opponents have said his administration should make way for a caretaker government until presidential elections can be held.

The supreme court, however, has said he can remain in power until the next election.

The delayed elections come as the United States tries to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban, and some had speculated the polls were being deliberately stalled to create more space for those talks.

Negotiations, however, appear to be making slow progress, with the two sides at loggerheads over several key issues.

Election officials in Afghanistan should do more to ensure delayed presidential polls can take place in September, the US embassy in Kabul said Thursday. The election was initially slated for April 20, but as the date drew closer it grew obvious that overwhelmed poll officials were unprepared -- owing to them still tallying results from a nationwide parliamentary ballot in October.

Election officials in Afghanistan should do more to ensure delayed presidential polls can take place in September, the US embassy in Kabul said Thursday. The election was initially slated for April 20, but as the date drew closer it grew obvious that overwhelmed poll officials were unprepared -- owing to them still tallying results from a nationwide parliamentary ballot in October. Amid the push to finalise those results, officials first delayed the presidential election until July 20, and then again to September 28. Final results were only announced this week. In a statement, the US embassy urged the Independent Election Commission and Afghan authorities "do their part to take the decisions and actions necessary to give the Afghan people their voice at the ballot box this year." Among its recommendations, the embassy said the election commission should present a clear plan and budget request, as well as hire and train sufficient staff to complete voter registration and preparations. "The Afghan people deserve the opportunity to choose their next leadership through transparent elections in September," the statement read. "We are prepared to continue supporting this process'', it added. The embassy statement comes after Alice Wells, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, met with Afghan leaders in Kabul this week, when she stressed the importance of holding the September election. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's term technically expires May 22, and his opponents have said his administration should make way for a caretaker government until presidential elections can be held. The supreme court, however, has said he can remain in power until the next election. The delayed elections come as the United States tries to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban, and some had speculated the polls were being deliberately stalled to create more space for those talks. Negotiations, however, appear to be making slow progress, with the two sides at loggerheads over several key issues.

Afghan election workers must prepare for presidential polls in September: US

Former US Vice-President Joe Biden has officially announced his presidential bid, putting an end to months of speculation. Watch full video to know more.

US election 2020: Joe Biden officially launches presidential bid

Big Democratic field taking shape for 2020 US presidential race

US Senator<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-warren-seeks-to-quiet-critics-with-2020-campaign-launch-196253&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiQuZjr_NPhAhWJMY8KHWxjCoIQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw19K7kWtoZBxFowvGikMlGC"> Elizabeth Warren</a> has hired the largest campaign staff in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, quickly building a payroll that far exceeds her Democratic rivals, according to disclosures filed with the Federal Elections Commission.

Warren spent more than $1 million on the payroll in the first quarter of 2019, more than double that of rivals such as US Senators Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris, the two who raised the most money in the first quarter.

The total does not include other payroll-related expenses. She spent about $566,000 on payroll taxes and $114,000 on health insurance.

Warren has said she intends to build a "grassroots" campaign. She has sworn off expensive fundraisers and is relying almost entirely on online donations to fund her <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-warren-formally-launches-2020-campaign-sounds-note-of-economic-equality-196404&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiQuZjr_NPhAhWJMY8KHWxjCoIQFggLMAI&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw16IsazWGM_hy4Rc0wcdf3q">campaign</a>.

Building a large campaign staff can create challenges. If a campaign begins to run short on cash, it is often more difficult to cut back on staff compared to trimming other expenses, such as advertising.

Warren had 161 employees already on her staff by the end of the first quarter, according to the disclosures she filed. About half of the staff, her campaign said, are positioned in early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

By comparison, Sanders' campaign had 86 people on its payroll by the end of the quarter, during which he spent $417,209 on salaries. Harris spent $477,108 on salaries on the 44 people she had on her payroll in the first quarter.

Warren has also outpaced Republican President Donald Trump's campaign hiring. Trump spent about $408,000 on staff in the first quarter, although the Republican National Committee is already working to help his reelection and has hundreds on staff.

Warren isn't without cash to pay her employees - she raised $6 million in the first quarter and had an additional $10.4 million from her Senate campaign. She finished the quarter with $11 million in cash.

However, her campaign disclosures revealed that she may be making tradeoffs.

Warren spent about $905,000 on online advertising. Sanders spent about $1.6 million and Harris $1 million.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren has hired the largest campaign staff in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, quickly building a payroll that far exceeds her Democratic rivals, according to disclosures filed with the Federal Elections Commission.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren has hired the largest campaign staff in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, quickly building a payroll that far exceeds her Democratic rivals, according to disclosures filed with the Federal Elections Commission. Warren spent more than $1 million on the payroll in the first quarter of 2019, more than double that of rivals such as US Senators Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris, the two who raised the most money in the first quarter. The total does not include other payroll-related expenses. She spent about $566,000 on payroll taxes and $114,000 on health insurance. Warren has said she intends to build a "grassroots" campaign. She has sworn off expensive fundraisers and is relying almost entirely on online donations to fund her campaign. Building a large campaign staff can create challenges. If a campaign begins to run short on cash, it is often more difficult to cut back on staff compared to trimming other expenses, such as advertising. Warren had 161 employees already on her staff by the end of the first quarter, according to the disclosures she filed. About half of the staff, her campaign said, are positioned in early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. By comparison, Sanders' campaign had 86 people on its payroll by the end of the quarter, during which he spent $417,209 on salaries. Harris spent $477,108 on salaries on the 44 people she had on her payroll in the first quarter. Warren has also outpaced Republican President Donald Trump's campaign hiring. Trump spent about $408,000 on staff in the first quarter, although the Republican National Committee is already working to help his reelection and has hundreds on staff. Warren isn't without cash to pay her employees - she raised $6 million in the first quarter and had an additional $10.4 million from her Senate campaign. She finished the quarter with $11 million in cash. However, her campaign disclosures revealed that she may be making tradeoffs. Warren spent about $905,000 on online advertising. Sanders spent about $1.6 million and Harris $1 million.

Elizabeth Warren builds largest United States presidential campaign staff

Finns voted in an election on Sunday (April 14) likely to result in a change of government with the Social Democrats returning to power for the first time in 20 years, as voters worry over the future of the country's generous welfare system as the costs of caring for a rapidly ageing population rise.

Voting begins in Finland election likely to see change in government

As World's third largest democracy Indonesia is all set to go to the polls on 17th April, Presidential candidates Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto are ready to encounter each other yet again to win the tough battle of 2019 election.

Indonesia presidential election: Prabowo Subianto vs Joko Widodo

US Democratic presidential contender Amy Klobuchar presented a trillion-dollar plan on Thursday to fix the country`s roads, bridges and other public works that she said would be her top budget priority if elected.

The US senator`s plan would include the repair and replacement of roads and bridges, modernisation of flood protection and airports, expansion of public transportation and the increase of rural access to broadband internet, among other policies.

Klobuchar often refers to one of the worst bridge collapses in US history, in her home state of Minnesota, repeating her admonition at the time that "A bridge in America just shouldn`t fall down." An interstate highway bridge spanning the Mississippi River collapsed in 2007, killing 13 people and injuring more than 100 others.

Republicans and Democrats in Congress have long called for fixes to the United States` infrastructure, including aging schools and water systems, but plans have foundered over disputes over how to fund the projects.

To pay for the investments, Klobuchar said she would commit more than $650 billion in federal funding for infrastructure, partly by changing parts of the tax overhaul legislation passed in 2017 to adjust the corporate tax rate to 25 per cent.

She would establish an Infrastructure Financing Authority to help states better leverage private funds for projects and steer money to rural areas, as well as bring back a bond program to give a 35 per cent subsidy to state and local governments for public projects.

In President Donald Trump`s annual State of the Union address to Congress in February, he once again called on lawmakers to pass legislation to aid the country`s infrastructure.&nbsp;

An infrastructure plan Trump asked lawmakers to support in February 2018 was roundly criticised and never received a vote in Congress, which was then controlled by his Republican Party.

Klobuchar, who is in her third term in the US Senate, is one of more than a dozen Democrats running for their party`s 2020 presidential nomination.&nbsp;

US Democratic presidential contender Amy Klobuchar presented a trillion-dollar plan on Thursday to fix the country`s roads, bridges and other public works that she said would be her top budget priority if elected.

US Democratic presidential contender Amy Klobuchar presented a trillion-dollar plan on Thursday to fix the country`s roads, bridges and other public works that she said would be her top budget priority if elected. The US senator`s plan would include the repair and replacement of roads and bridges, modernisation of flood protection and airports, expansion of public transportation and the increase of rural access to broadband internet, among other policies. Klobuchar often refers to one of the worst bridge collapses in US history, in her home state of Minnesota, repeating her admonition at the time that "A bridge in America just shouldn`t fall down." An interstate highway bridge spanning the Mississippi River collapsed in 2007, killing 13 people and injuring more than 100 others. Republicans and Democrats in Congress have long called for fixes to the United States` infrastructure, including aging schools and water systems, but plans have foundered over disputes over how to fund the projects. To pay for the investments, Klobuchar said she would commit more than $650 billion in federal funding for infrastructure, partly by changing parts of the tax overhaul legislation passed in 2017 to adjust the corporate tax rate to 25 per cent. She would establish an Infrastructure Financing Authority to help states better leverage private funds for projects and steer money to rural areas, as well as bring back a bond program to give a 35 per cent subsidy to state and local governments for public projects. In President Donald Trump`s annual State of the Union address to Congress in February, he once again called on lawmakers to pass legislation to aid the country`s infrastructure. An infrastructure plan Trump asked lawmakers to support in February 2018 was roundly criticised and never received a vote in Congress, which was then controlled by his Republican Party. Klobuchar, who is in her third term in the US Senate, is one of more than a dozen Democrats running for their party`s 2020 presidential nomination.

US presidential candidate Klobuchar calls for trillion-dollar infrastructure plan

The 2020 presidential election is still 20 months away, but one campaign battle is already raging: the fight for America's small-dollar contributions.

With all 12 major Democratic White House candidates shunning donations from corporations and political action committees, or PACs, they have turned their collective eye toward individual voters, who are showing increasing willingness to open their pocketbooks and play a larger role in the political process.

All signs point to an avalanche of personal contributions in the 2020 election cycle as individuals invest more of their own cash in candidates, as polls show voters are overwhelmingly fed up with dark money and corporate influence in politics.

Candidates are required to report their first-quarter donations to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) within the coming weeks, and the results are likely to show that while big money will still be at play in the election process, it just might be coming more from everyday voters.

'Eager to give'

'There was a lot of energy on the Democratic side (in the 2018 midterm elections) and I see no reason why Democratic giving would slow down in a cycle when President Trump is actually on the ballot,'&nbsp;Patrick Burgwinkle, communications director for campaign finance reform group End Citizens United, told AFP.

Individual Democratic donors are 'eager to give,'&nbsp;he added, 'provided that these candidates are walking the walk on reforming our broken campaign finance system.'

Many of them seek to claim the moral high ground and prove they will be accountable to the American people and not to corporate donors or special interests.

'The money in politics is corrupting. It controls everything,'&nbsp;Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told voters in Des Moines, Iowa, last month after announcing her presidential bid.

'You have to get money out of politics. And that's why, as a very small first step, I'm not taking corporate PAC money."

Instead, she and others, armed with massive voter databases culled from social media and other contacts thanks to improving technology, are sending out millions of fundraising emails seeking contributions to fund their exhausting ground operations -- "even just a dollar," pleaded one such message from Democrat Cory Booker.

Bernie Sanders, the liberal senator who made campaign finance reform a central pillar of his rebellious 2016 presidential campaign, entered the 2020 race in February with a bang, raising $5.9 million in the first 24 hours from more than 220,000 individuals across all 50 states. The average donation was $27.

'Powerful special interests may have the money," he tweeted, "but we have the people.'

Donald Trump, of course, is not sitting idle. The president filed his candidacy for 2020 the day after his inauguration, and his campaign has been fundraising ever since, reportedly raising some $106 million by last October.

Unlimited political spending

Many Democrats have raised the reform alarm since 2010 when the controversial Supreme Court decision in Citizens United vs FEC lifted restrictions on campaign spending by corporations and unions.

It also paved the way for unlimited political spending by independent groups known as super PACs, political entities that can accept unlimited contributions -- sometimes millions of dollars by a single entity or individual -- and then spend that money advocating for a candidate.

Burgwinkle, of End Citizens United, said some Democrats have benefited from super PACS, but that the lion's share of post-Citizens United PAC money went towards helping elect Republicans.

But today, Trump's challenges are receiving major financial boosts from energized grassroots supporters.

'The race for money in the Democratic Party is really going to be a race for small dollars," said Colby College's Anthony Corrado, a government professor and leading expert on political finance.

'What Bernie Sanders proved in 2016 was that you can finance a campaign largely depending on small-dollar contributions - if you can generate the excitement amongst the grassroots faithful.'

But just because candidates swear off corporate or PAC money and focus on grassroots voters, nothing is preventing a mega-donor like a billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer from contributing millions of dollars to PACs and outside money groups that will independently help candidates.

Meanwhile, the online donation process is becoming increasingly efficient for small-dollar donors.&nbsp;

When Beto O'Rourke announced his presidential campaign Thursday, he went up with a website that led supporters to a user-friendly donation page powered by ActBlue, a non-profit group whose platform has become a small-dollar juggernaut.

ActBlue says millions of Americans contributed a staggering $1.6 billion through the platform, at an average $39 per donation, during the 2018 election cycle.

'They're not looking for political access, they're supporting a cause or a political platform,'&nbsp;Corrado said of the donors.

'And if you've got 100,000 people giving you $10 a month, you've suddenly got real money.'

The 2020 presidential election is still 20 months away, but one campaign battle is already raging: the fight for America's small-dollar contributions. With all 12 major Democratic White House candidates shunning donations from corporations and political action committees, or PACs, they have turned their collective eye toward individual voters, who are showing increasing willingness to open their pocketbooks and play a larger role in the political process.

The 2020 presidential election is still 20 months away, but one campaign battle is already raging: the fight for America's small-dollar contributions. With all 12 major Democratic White House candidates shunning donations from corporations and political action committees, or PACs, they have turned their collective eye toward individual voters, who are showing increasing willingness to open their pocketbooks and play a larger role in the political process. All signs point to an avalanche of personal contributions in the 2020 election cycle as individuals invest more of their own cash in candidates, as polls show voters are overwhelmingly fed up with dark money and corporate influence in politics. Candidates are required to report their first-quarter donations to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) within the coming weeks, and the results are likely to show that while big money will still be at play in the election process, it just might be coming more from everyday voters. 'Eager to give' 'There was a lot of energy on the Democratic side (in the 2018 midterm elections) and I see no reason why Democratic giving would slow down in a cycle when President Trump is actually on the ballot,' Patrick Burgwinkle, communications director for campaign finance reform group End Citizens United, told AFP. Individual Democratic donors are 'eager to give,' he added, 'provided that these candidates are walking the walk on reforming our broken campaign finance system.' Many of them seek to claim the moral high ground and prove they will be accountable to the American people and not to corporate donors or special interests. 'The money in politics is corrupting. It controls everything,' Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told voters in Des Moines, Iowa, last month after announcing her presidential bid. 'You have to get money out of politics. And that's why, as a very small first step, I'm not taking corporate PAC money." Instead, she and others, armed with massive voter databases culled from social media and other contacts thanks to improving technology, are sending out millions of fundraising emails seeking contributions to fund their exhausting ground operations -- "even just a dollar," pleaded one such message from Democrat Cory Booker. Bernie Sanders, the liberal senator who made campaign finance reform a central pillar of his rebellious 2016 presidential campaign, entered the 2020 race in February with a bang, raising $5.9 million in the first 24 hours from more than 220,000 individuals across all 50 states. The average donation was $27. 'Powerful special interests may have the money," he tweeted, "but we have the people.' Donald Trump, of course, is not sitting idle. The president filed his candidacy for 2020 the day after his inauguration, and his campaign has been fundraising ever since, reportedly raising some $106 million by last October. Unlimited political spending Many Democrats have raised the reform alarm since 2010 when the controversial Supreme Court decision in Citizens United vs FEC lifted restrictions on campaign spending by corporations and unions. It also paved the way for unlimited political spending by independent groups known as super PACs, political entities that can accept unlimited contributions -- sometimes millions of dollars by a single entity or individual -- and then spend that money advocating for a candidate. Burgwinkle, of End Citizens United, said some Democrats have benefited from super PACS, but that the lion's share of post-Citizens United PAC money went towards helping elect Republicans. But today, Trump's challenges are receiving major financial boosts from energized grassroots supporters. 'The race for money in the Democratic Party is really going to be a race for small dollars," said Colby College's Anthony Corrado, a government professor and leading expert on political finance. 'What Bernie Sanders proved in 2016 was that you can finance a campaign largely depending on small-dollar contributions - if you can generate the excitement amongst the grassroots faithful.' But just because candidates swear off corporate or PAC money and focus on grassroots voters, nothing is preventing a mega-donor like a billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer from contributing millions of dollars to PACs and outside money groups that will independently help candidates. Meanwhile, the online donation process is becoming increasingly efficient for small-dollar donors. When Beto O'Rourke announced his presidential campaign Thursday, he went up with a website that led supporters to a user-friendly donation page powered by ActBlue, a non-profit group whose platform has become a small-dollar juggernaut. ActBlue says millions of Americans contributed a staggering $1.6 billion through the platform, at an average $39 per donation, during the 2018 election cycle. 'They're not looking for political access, they're supporting a cause or a political platform,' Corrado said of the donors. 'And if you've got 100,000 people giving you $10 a month, you've suddenly got real money.'

2020 Democrats build campaign war chests, $1 at a time

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-postpones-presidential-parliamentary-election-for-one-week-197707">President Muhammadu Buhari</a> on Friday urged Nigerians "to go out and vote", promising there would be adequate security for Saturday's postponed election that pits him in a tight race with businessman Atiku Abubakar.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced a week's delay to voting in the early hours of last Saturday, just as some of Nigeria's 72.8 million eligible voters were preparing to go to polling stations.

In a televised morning address on the eve of the vote, Buhari asked Nigerians to "cast aside doubt and have faith that INEC will rise to the occasion" on Saturday.

"Do not be afraid of rumours of violence and unrest. Our security agencies have worked diligently to ensure that adequate security measures are in place," he said.

Buhari's rival Atiku, a former vice president who is representing the main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), made a similar appeal to voters through his Twitter feed on Thursday night.

"This Saturday, a vote for PDP is a vote to get Nigeria working again. Come out, vote and #DefendYourVote," Atiku said in a tweet accompanied by a video of his rallies.

Buhari, a former military ruler who was later elected president in 2015, faces a close contest against Atiku to lead a country that has Africa's largest economy and is its top oil producer but is plagued by corruption and insecurity.

The Boko Haram militant insurgent group and its offshoot, Islamic State in West Africa Province, have carried out deadly sporadic raids in the northeast's Borno state. Boko Haram has warned people not to vote.

Witnesses and security officials told Reuters an attack in Borno on a governor's convoy on route to an election rally on Feb. 12 was deadlier than the government had said.

More than 1,000 soldiers from neighbouring Chad, belonging to a multinational joint force comprised of troops from the region, crossed the border into Nigeria on Friday to help with the fight against Islamists, according to two Chadian military sources.

Police patrol vehicles were seen moving around Borno's capital, Maiduguri, on Friday. Electoral commission vehicles were also seen ferrying election material under heavy police guard.

"I think everybody has to be concerned about the security ... it is something that worries people," James Jatto, a pastor in Maiduguri said.

Ali Gwarfa, an internally displaced person in Bakassi camp in Maiduguri, said he was preparing to cast his vote in a nearby centre despite the insecurity.

"We must go and vote for the candidates of our choice," Gwarfa said.

Acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu said police would ensure security at the polls.

In President Buhari's hometown of Daura in northern Nigeria, an election official, Saeed Ahmed, said electoral materials were being transferred to polling stations.

"I am very optimistic that tomorrow's election will be credible, free and fair," he said.

ELECTION DAY

In Lagos, Cheta Nwanze, head of research at SBM Intel, a Lagos based intelligence firm, said the postponement of the election would favour the opposition.

"I think it is important to say that, it cast the APC ruling party in bad light and it builds popular anger towards them," Nwanze said, referring to Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) party.

However, Bukola Saraki, director general of Atiku's campaign, told Reuters the delay "disadvantages us".

Members of Buhari's APC party and those of Atiku's PDP have accused each other of being behind the delay and colluding with the electoral commission, but neither party has publicly provided evidence to back up their allegations.

The electoral commission's chairman Mahmood Yakubu has insisted the vote will go ahead on Saturday. He blamed logistical reasons for the postponement and said there had been no external pressure.

"Tomorrow is election day," Yakubu told a briefing.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday urged Nigerians "to go out and vote", promising there would be adequate security for Saturday's postponed election that pits him in a tight race with businessman Atiku Abubakar.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday urged Nigerians "to go out and vote", promising there would be adequate security for Saturday's postponed election that pits him in a tight race with businessman Atiku Abubakar. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced a week's delay to voting in the early hours of last Saturday, just as some of Nigeria's 72.8 million eligible voters were preparing to go to polling stations. In a televised morning address on the eve of the vote, Buhari asked Nigerians to "cast aside doubt and have faith that INEC will rise to the occasion" on Saturday. "Do not be afraid of rumours of violence and unrest. Our security agencies have worked diligently to ensure that adequate security measures are in place," he said. Buhari's rival Atiku, a former vice president who is representing the main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), made a similar appeal to voters through his Twitter feed on Thursday night. "This Saturday, a vote for PDP is a vote to get Nigeria working again. Come out, vote and #DefendYourVote," Atiku said in a tweet accompanied by a video of his rallies. Buhari, a former military ruler who was later elected president in 2015, faces a close contest against Atiku to lead a country that has Africa's largest economy and is its top oil producer but is plagued by corruption and insecurity. The Boko Haram militant insurgent group and its offshoot, Islamic State in West Africa Province, have carried out deadly sporadic raids in the northeast's Borno state. Boko Haram has warned people not to vote. Witnesses and security officials told Reuters an attack in Borno on a governor's convoy on route to an election rally on Feb. 12 was deadlier than the government had said. More than 1,000 soldiers from neighbouring Chad, belonging to a multinational joint force comprised of troops from the region, crossed the border into Nigeria on Friday to help with the fight against Islamists, according to two Chadian military sources. Police patrol vehicles were seen moving around Borno's capital, Maiduguri, on Friday. Electoral commission vehicles were also seen ferrying election material under heavy police guard. "I think everybody has to be concerned about the security ... it is something that worries people," James Jatto, a pastor in Maiduguri said. Ali Gwarfa, an internally displaced person in Bakassi camp in Maiduguri, said he was preparing to cast his vote in a nearby centre despite the insecurity. "We must go and vote for the candidates of our choice," Gwarfa said. Acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu said police would ensure security at the polls. In President Buhari's hometown of Daura in northern Nigeria, an election official, Saeed Ahmed, said electoral materials were being transferred to polling stations. "I am very optimistic that tomorrow's election will be credible, free and fair," he said. ELECTION DAY In Lagos, Cheta Nwanze, head of research at SBM Intel, a Lagos based intelligence firm, said the postponement of the election would favour the opposition. "I think it is important to say that, it cast the APC ruling party in bad light and it builds popular anger towards them," Nwanze said, referring to Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) party. However, Bukola Saraki, director general of Atiku's campaign, told Reuters the delay "disadvantages us". Members of Buhari's APC party and those of Atiku's PDP have accused each other of being behind the delay and colluding with the electoral commission, but neither party has publicly provided evidence to back up their allegations. The electoral commission's chairman Mahmood Yakubu has insisted the vote will go ahead on Saturday. He blamed logistical reasons for the postponement and said there had been no external pressure. "Tomorrow is election day," Yakubu told a briefing.

Nigeria's Buhari promises security for delayed presidential election

Nigeria's electoral watchdog on Saturday postponed presidential and parliamentary elections for one week, just hours before polls were due to open.

The voting has been&nbsp;rescheduled on February 23.

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu said "proceeding with the election as scheduled is no longer feasible", adding: "Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule to Saturday, February 23, 2019."

President Muhammadu Buhari faces a tight election contest in Africa's largest economy, top oil producer and most populous nation against the main opposition candidate, businessman and former vice president Atiku Abubakar.

Nigeria is also dealing with pockets of instability. Throughout the day, authorities bolstered security in much of the country on the eve of the vote in Africa's largest democracy where past elections have been marred by violence, voter intimidation and ballot rigging.

Dozens of combat policemen and other security forces were deployed from police headquarters in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state on the country's northeast frontier that has been worst hit by Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State in West Africa Province.

(With inputs from agencies)

Nigeria's electoral watchdog on Saturday postponed presidential and parliamentary elections for one week, just hours before polls were due to open. The voting has been rescheduled on February 23.

Nigeria's electoral watchdog on Saturday postponed presidential and parliamentary elections for one week, just hours before polls were due to open. The voting has been rescheduled on February 23. The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu said "proceeding with the election as scheduled is no longer feasible", adding: "Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule to Saturday, February 23, 2019." President Muhammadu Buhari faces a tight election contest in Africa's largest economy, top oil producer and most populous nation against the main opposition candidate, businessman and former vice president Atiku Abubakar. Nigeria is also dealing with pockets of instability. Throughout the day, authorities bolstered security in much of the country on the eve of the vote in Africa's largest democracy where past elections have been marred by violence, voter intimidation and ballot rigging. Dozens of combat policemen and other security forces were deployed from police headquarters in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state on the country's northeast frontier that has been worst hit by Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State in West Africa Province. (With inputs from agencies)

Nigeria: Election postponed hours before polls due to open

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-postpones-presidential-parliamentary-election-for-one-week-197707">Nigeria postpones presidential, parliamentary election hours before polls due to open</a>

Nigeria's electoral watchdog on Saturday postponed presidential and parliamentary elections for one week, just hours before polls were due to open.

The voting has been rescheduled on February 23.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pulwama-attack-india-slams-pakistan-yet-again-says-islamabad-cannot-claim-its-unaware-of-jem-presence-197702">Pulwama attack: India says Islamabad cannot be blind to JeM presence in its soil</a>

India slammed Pakistan Foreign Secretary (FS) Tehmina Janjua on Friday after the latter in his briefing to ambassador of permanent five (P5) members of United Nations security council (UNSC) rejected Pakistan's involvement in the Pulwama attack. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/five-dead-multiple-wounded-in-us-mass-shooting-police-197682">Five dead, multiple wounded in US mass shooting: Police</a>

Five people were killed and multiple police officers shot Friday when a gunman opened fire in an industrial area on the outskirts of Chicago, the latest mass shooting to hit the United States.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mueller-seeks-tough-sentence-for-ex-trump-campaign-chairman-manafort-197689">Special Counsel Mueller seeks </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mueller-seeks-tough-sentence-for-ex-trump-campaign-chairman-manafort-197689">tough</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mueller-seeks-tough-sentence-for-ex-trump-campaign-chairman-manafort-197689"> sentence for ex-Trump campaign chairman Manafort</a>

Prosecutors for Special Counsel Robert Mueller urged a federal judge in Virginia on Friday to impose a strict prison sentence for President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort, after a jury last year convicted him on eight counts of bank and tax fraud.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-raises-pressure-on-venezuelas-maduro-via-sanctions-aid-airlift-197708">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-raises-pressure-on-venezuelas-maduro-via-sanctions-aid-airlift-197708"> raises pressure on Venezuela's Maduro via sanctions, aid airlift</a>

The United States ratcheted up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border.

Nigeria postpones presidential, parliamentary election hours before polls due to open Nigeria's electoral watchdog on Saturday postponed presidential and parliamentary elections for one week, just hours before polls were due to open.

Nigeria postpones presidential, parliamentary election hours before polls due to open Nigeria's electoral watchdog on Saturday postponed presidential and parliamentary elections for one week, just hours before polls were due to open. The voting has been rescheduled on February 23. Pulwama attack: India says Islamabad cannot be blind to JeM presence in its soil India slammed Pakistan Foreign Secretary (FS) Tehmina Janjua on Friday after the latter in his briefing to ambassador of permanent five (P5) members of United Nations security council (UNSC) rejected Pakistan's involvement in the Pulwama attack. Five dead, multiple wounded in US mass shooting: Police Five people were killed and multiple police officers shot Friday when a gunman opened fire in an industrial area on the outskirts of Chicago, the latest mass shooting to hit the United States. Special Counsel Mueller seeks tough sentence for ex-Trump campaign chairman Manafort Prosecutors for Special Counsel Robert Mueller urged a federal judge in Virginia on Friday to impose a strict prison sentence for President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort, after a jury last year convicted him on eight counts of bank and tax fraud. US raises pressure on Venezuela's Maduro via sanctions, aid airlift The United States ratcheted up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Salvadorans will vote in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday, with an energetic former mayor campaigning as an anti-corruption outsider set to win the top job and end decades of a two-party system.

Nayib Bukele, 37, has capitalized on the anti-establishment feeling sweeping elections across the region and further afield, as voters seek an alternative to traditional parties.

Since the end of its bloody civil war in 1992, El Salvador has been governed by just two parties: ruling leftists the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), and its rival, the conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA).

Though he describes himself as from the left and was expelled from the FMLN, Bukele has formed a coalition with parties including a right-wing one who together has just 11 seats in the legislature.

Pollster Mitofsky said in a January poll that Bukele had 57 per cent of voter support, while a poll by Gallup showed him with 42 per cent. Both polls show ARENA's Carlos Calleja in second place.

If no candidate wins more than 50 per cent of Sunday's vote, two candidates will pass into a runoff to be held in March.

El Salvador's next president will face US President Donald Trump's verbal attacks against Central American governments for not doing enough to prevent migration and have to manage American backlash to recently-established diplomatic relations with China.

The new government will also have to try to kickstart a sluggish economy, combat corruption and tackle one of the highest rates of homicide in the world.

"Nayib is an excellent person and the proposals he has are pretty excellent," said Maria Amaya, a 42-year-old housewife who said she previously voted for the FMLN.

"We're fed up of so much corruption, the Front (FMLN) and ARENA had their time to do something and they didn't."

ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE

Bukele, who was mayor of San Salvador between 2015 to 2018, has said he wants to create an international anti-corruption commission with the support of the United Nations, following similar schemes in Guatemala and Honduras.

"We'll create a (commission) ... so that the corrupt can't hide where they always hide, instead they'll have to give back what they stole," Bukele said in January.

The country of 6 million people ranked 105 in Transparency International's 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index, alongside Brazil, which elected far-right Jair Bolsonaro last year on a similar anti-corruption platform.

Bukele, who slicks back his hair and often sports a backward baseball cap, has a large social media following, uses Facebook Live for official announcements, and challenges opponents on Twitter.

Growing up, Bukele's relatively wealthy family were sympathetic to the FMLN, the former leftist guerrilla army that became a political party at the end of El Salvador's civil war in 1992.

But Bukele has turned away from Latin America's traditional left, branding Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega as well as conservative Honduran Juan Orlando Hernandez dictators.

"A dictator is a dictator, on the "right" or the "left"," Bukele wrote in a tweet last week.

Salvadorans will vote in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday, with an energetic former mayor campaigning as an anti-corruption outsider set to win the top job and end decades of a two-party system.

Salvadorans will vote in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday, with an energetic former mayor campaigning as an anti-corruption outsider set to win the top job and end decades of a two-party system. Nayib Bukele, 37, has capitalized on the anti-establishment feeling sweeping elections across the region and further afield, as voters seek an alternative to traditional parties. Since the end of its bloody civil war in 1992, El Salvador has been governed by just two parties: ruling leftists the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), and its rival, the conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA). Though he describes himself as from the left and was expelled from the FMLN, Bukele has formed a coalition with parties including a right-wing one who together has just 11 seats in the legislature. Pollster Mitofsky said in a January poll that Bukele had 57 per cent of voter support, while a poll by Gallup showed him with 42 per cent. Both polls show ARENA's Carlos Calleja in second place. If no candidate wins more than 50 per cent of Sunday's vote, two candidates will pass into a runoff to be held in March. El Salvador's next president will face US President Donald Trump's verbal attacks against Central American governments for not doing enough to prevent migration and have to manage American backlash to recently-established diplomatic relations with China. The new government will also have to try to kickstart a sluggish economy, combat corruption and tackle one of the highest rates of homicide in the world. "Nayib is an excellent person and the proposals he has are pretty excellent," said Maria Amaya, a 42-year-old housewife who said she previously voted for the FMLN. "We're fed up of so much corruption, the Front (FMLN) and ARENA had their time to do something and they didn't." ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE Bukele, who was mayor of San Salvador between 2015 to 2018, has said he wants to create an international anti-corruption commission with the support of the United Nations, following similar schemes in Guatemala and Honduras. "We'll create a (commission) ... so that the corrupt can't hide where they always hide, instead they'll have to give back what they stole," Bukele said in January. The country of 6 million people ranked 105 in Transparency International's 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index, alongside Brazil, which elected far-right Jair Bolsonaro last year on a similar anti-corruption platform. Bukele, who slicks back his hair and often sports a backward baseball cap, has a large social media following, uses Facebook Live for official announcements, and challenges opponents on Twitter. Growing up, Bukele's relatively wealthy family were sympathetic to the FMLN, the former leftist guerrilla army that became a political party at the end of El Salvador's civil war in 1992. But Bukele has turned away from Latin America's traditional left, branding Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega as well as conservative Honduran Juan Orlando Hernandez dictators. "A dictator is a dictator, on the "right" or the "left"," Bukele wrote in a tweet last week.

El Salvador votes for new president, with anti-corruption outsider in lead

Madagascar votes on Wednesday for a new president in unprecedented polls in which the three front-runners are former heads of state facing-off amid efforts to defuse a political crisis.

Attempts by the most recent president, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, to change the large Indian Ocean island's electoral laws backfired, sparking nearly three months of sometimes violent protests in the capital Antananarivo.

The demonstrators forced Rajaonarimampianina to accept a "consensus" government tasked with organising the election in the poor country with a history of coups and unrest.

Nearly 10 million voters are eligible to cast ballots for one of 36 candidates who, as well as the three front-runners, include two ex-prime ministers, pastors and a rock star. Polling stations open at 0300 GMT and are due to close by 1400 GMT.

One presidential contender must win 50 per cent of votes cast or a second round will be held on December 19.

Rajaonarimampianina is competing against two of his predecessors.&nbsp;

Marc Ravalomanana, a milk mogul, ruled from 2002 to 2009 and Andry Rajoelina, a former party organiser nicknamed "the disc jockey", succeeded him and was in power until 2013.

The trio staged massive rallies over the weekend in the capital, each attracting tens of thousands of supporters.&nbsp;

The former French colony has struggled to overcome political divisions after a disputed 2001 election that sparked clashes and a 2009 military-backed coup that ousted Ravalomanana.

Apart from protests earlier this year, Rajaonarimampianina's tenure was mostly peaceful but anger over the past still simmers.

He has promised "a new phase" in Madagascar's development if elected.

"I'm poor. I live hand to mouth, day to day. I don't have anything to eat for tomorrow," said Coledette, a mother-of-four angered by recent increases in the price of rice.

Bloody protests&nbsp;

The key battle will be between Rajaonarimampianina and the former presidents Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, according to analysts and the findings of a banned pre-vote poll seen by AFP.

The survey, commissioned by the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation, gave Rajoelina support of 25 percent, Ravalomanana 17 percent and four percent for Rajaonarimampianina.

"The big risk of this election is that it will return us to an era of crisis," said Sahondra Rabenarivo, an analyst at the Malagasy Observatory on Public Life.

"It's very important that the results are credible and that the third-placed candidate accepts them," added Rabenarivo referring to the leading hopeful who will not advance to any second round.

Tensions are high between Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, who succeeded him with the backing of the army in the 2009 uprising.

Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, according to World Bank data, with almost four in five people living in grinding poverty.

Many voters see the delivery of basic resources like water, electricity and jobs as their priorities.

The trio of main contenders -- armed with significant campaign resources -- have criss-crossed the island of 25 million by helicopter promising voters a better future.

"It's a circus," added Rabenarivo, the analyst.

An EU-sponsored study found that Rajaonarimampianina spent $43 million on his 2013 campaign -- $21.50 for each vote.

"The people are sick of the (leading) three candidates. Their time in power has been fruitless," said rural voter Mari Rajafinniana who told AFP he planned to vote for candidate number 11, Ny Rado Rafalimanana.

Although there were bloody protests in April that left two people dead, campaigning has so far gone smoothly.

'Disgusted'&nbsp;

The candidates have however been accused of vote buying. The head of Transparency International in Madagascar, Ketakandriana Rafitoson, is "disgusted" by what she says is the handing out of T-shirts, sewing machines and even floor tiles to buy votes.

The election will be seen as an important opportunity for rivals Ravalomanana and Rajoelina to settle their scores through the ballot box, according to commentators.

Both were banned from contesting the last elections in 2013.

Ravalomanana, who until 2014 lived in exile in South Africa after his removal from office,&nbsp;is still bitter after his ouster by Rajoelina in the coup that left the island internationally isolated and bitterly divided.

Rajoelina, a former mayor, party planner and successful entrepreneur is banking on his youth and communication skills to rally support.

Around 20 lower-profile candidates have alleged irregularities in the electoral roll and have unsuccessfully called for the poll to be delayed.

Madagascar votes on Wednesday for a new president in unprecedented polls in which the three front-runners are former heads of state facing-off amid efforts to defuse a political crisis.

Madagascar votes on Wednesday for a new president in unprecedented polls in which the three front-runners are former heads of state facing-off amid efforts to defuse a political crisis. Attempts by the most recent president, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, to change the large Indian Ocean island's electoral laws backfired, sparking nearly three months of sometimes violent protests in the capital Antananarivo. The demonstrators forced Rajaonarimampianina to accept a "consensus" government tasked with organising the election in the poor country with a history of coups and unrest. Nearly 10 million voters are eligible to cast ballots for one of 36 candidates who, as well as the three front-runners, include two ex-prime ministers, pastors and a rock star. Polling stations open at 0300 GMT and are due to close by 1400 GMT. One presidential contender must win 50 per cent of votes cast or a second round will be held on December 19. Rajaonarimampianina is competing against two of his predecessors. Marc Ravalomanana, a milk mogul, ruled from 2002 to 2009 and Andry Rajoelina, a former party organiser nicknamed "the disc jockey", succeeded him and was in power until 2013. The trio staged massive rallies over the weekend in the capital, each attracting tens of thousands of supporters. The former French colony has struggled to overcome political divisions after a disputed 2001 election that sparked clashes and a 2009 military-backed coup that ousted Ravalomanana. Apart from protests earlier this year, Rajaonarimampianina's tenure was mostly peaceful but anger over the past still simmers. He has promised "a new phase" in Madagascar's development if elected. "I'm poor. I live hand to mouth, day to day. I don't have anything to eat for tomorrow," said Coledette, a mother-of-four angered by recent increases in the price of rice. Bloody protests The key battle will be between Rajaonarimampianina and the former presidents Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, according to analysts and the findings of a banned pre-vote poll seen by AFP. The survey, commissioned by the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation, gave Rajoelina support of 25 percent, Ravalomanana 17 percent and four percent for Rajaonarimampianina. "The big risk of this election is that it will return us to an era of crisis," said Sahondra Rabenarivo, an analyst at the Malagasy Observatory on Public Life. "It's very important that the results are credible and that the third-placed candidate accepts them," added Rabenarivo referring to the leading hopeful who will not advance to any second round. Tensions are high between Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, who succeeded him with the backing of the army in the 2009 uprising. Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, according to World Bank data, with almost four in five people living in grinding poverty. Many voters see the delivery of basic resources like water, electricity and jobs as their priorities. The trio of main contenders -- armed with significant campaign resources -- have criss-crossed the island of 25 million by helicopter promising voters a better future. "It's a circus," added Rabenarivo, the analyst. An EU-sponsored study found that Rajaonarimampianina spent $43 million on his 2013 campaign -- $21.50 for each vote. "The people are sick of the (leading) three candidates. Their time in power has been fruitless," said rural voter Mari Rajafinniana who told AFP he planned to vote for candidate number 11, Ny Rado Rafalimanana. Although there were bloody protests in April that left two people dead, campaigning has so far gone smoothly. 'Disgusted' The candidates have however been accused of vote buying. The head of Transparency International in Madagascar, Ketakandriana Rafitoson, is "disgusted" by what she says is the handing out of T-shirts, sewing machines and even floor tiles to buy votes. The election will be seen as an important opportunity for rivals Ravalomanana and Rajoelina to settle their scores through the ballot box, according to commentators. Both were banned from contesting the last elections in 2013. Ravalomanana, who until 2014 lived in exile in South Africa after his removal from office, is still bitter after his ouster by Rajoelina in the coup that left the island internationally isolated and bitterly divided. Rajoelina, a former mayor, party planner and successful entrepreneur is banking on his youth and communication skills to rally support. Around 20 lower-profile candidates have alleged irregularities in the electoral roll and have unsuccessfully called for the poll to be delayed.

Madagascar goes to the polls to pick next president

Campaigning for Indonesia's presidential election in April kicked off Sunday, pitting incumbent Joko Widodo against a former military general in the race to lead the world's third-biggest democracy.

Opinion polls show Widodo, whose down-to-earth style and ambitious infrastructure drive have made him popular with many Indonesians, well ahead of his main challenger Prabowo Subianto.&nbsp;

But his bid for a second term is facing headwinds over his economic record, with the rupiah currency sitting at two-decade lows, and fears of a fake news campaign targeted to disrupt his re-election.

Some 186 million voters in the world's largest Muslim-majority country are expected go to the polls on April 17, in an election which will also decide members of national and local parliaments.

Analysts say campaigning is likely to focus on the economy, inequality, identity politics and rising intolerance across the sprawling archipelago of more than 260 million people.

Widodo, who is popularly known as Jokowi, surprised many Indonesians in August by choosing to run alongside conservative Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin.

Amin, 75, is chairman of the country's top Islamic authority the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which issues fatwas, and is known for his disparaging views towards certain minorities.

About 90 per cent of Indonesia's 260 million people have traditionally followed a moderate form of Islam, but there are concerns that the historically secular nation is taking a sharp fundamentalist turn.

The pair will square off against Prabowo and former deputy Jakarta governor Sandiaga Uno, a businessman and private equity tycoon.

Prabowo, who lost to Widodo in 2014, was a top military figure in the chaotic months before dictator Suharto was toppled by student protests in 1998.

Following the strongman's downfall, he admitted ordering the abduction of democracy activists and was discharged from the military.

Pundits say Widodo, who has hired billionaire Inter Milan chairman and minority owner Erick Thohir as his campaign manager, is most vulnerable when it comes to the economy and inequality.

Indonesia's currency has slumped in recent weeks, falling to levels not seen since the country was embroiled in a region-wide financial crisis that sparked economic ruin and the street protests that led to the downfall of Suharto.

Claims of economic mismanagement, along with outright character assassination, are expected to be amplified by viral social media and fake news campaigns.

Widodo has been dogged for years by misleading hoaxes that he is a member of the outlawed Indonesian communist party, a Christian and Chinese.

Campaigning for Indonesia's presidential election in April kicked off Sunday, pitting incumbent Joko Widodo against a former military general in the race to lead the world's third-biggest democracy.

Campaigning for Indonesia's presidential election in April kicked off Sunday, pitting incumbent Joko Widodo against a former military general in the race to lead the world's third-biggest democracy. Opinion polls show Widodo, whose down-to-earth style and ambitious infrastructure drive have made him popular with many Indonesians, well ahead of his main challenger Prabowo Subianto. But his bid for a second term is facing headwinds over his economic record, with the rupiah currency sitting at two-decade lows, and fears of a fake news campaign targeted to disrupt his re-election. Some 186 million voters in the world's largest Muslim-majority country are expected go to the polls on April 17, in an election which will also decide members of national and local parliaments. Analysts say campaigning is likely to focus on the economy, inequality, identity politics and rising intolerance across the sprawling archipelago of more than 260 million people. Widodo, who is popularly known as Jokowi, surprised many Indonesians in August by choosing to run alongside conservative Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin. Amin, 75, is chairman of the country's top Islamic authority the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which issues fatwas, and is known for his disparaging views towards certain minorities. About 90 per cent of Indonesia's 260 million people have traditionally followed a moderate form of Islam, but there are concerns that the historically secular nation is taking a sharp fundamentalist turn. The pair will square off against Prabowo and former deputy Jakarta governor Sandiaga Uno, a businessman and private equity tycoon. Prabowo, who lost to Widodo in 2014, was a top military figure in the chaotic months before dictator Suharto was toppled by student protests in 1998. Following the strongman's downfall, he admitted ordering the abduction of democracy activists and was discharged from the military. Pundits say Widodo, who has hired billionaire Inter Milan chairman and minority owner Erick Thohir as his campaign manager, is most vulnerable when it comes to the economy and inequality. Indonesia's currency has slumped in recent weeks, falling to levels not seen since the country was embroiled in a region-wide financial crisis that sparked economic ruin and the street protests that led to the downfall of Suharto. Claims of economic mismanagement, along with outright character assassination, are expected to be amplified by viral social media and fake news campaigns. Widodo has been dogged for years by misleading hoaxes that he is a member of the outlawed Indonesian communist party, a Christian and Chinese.

Indonesia kicks off presidential race as currency slumps

Right-winger Ivan Duque, who wants to overhaul a peace deal with Marxist rebels, won Colombia's first-round presidential election on Sunday, setting up a runoff next month with leftist Gustavo Petro, who has pledged to confront privileged elites.

The first election since the peace accord was signed with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2016 now heads for a June 17 runoff to select the successor to President Juan Manuel Santos, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for ending the five-decade-old conflict.

Duque, 41, has pledged to toughen the terms of the peace deal and ensure former rebels pay for their war crimes, while Petro has provoked alarm among investors with pledges to overhaul Colombia's orthodox economic policy and redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor.

With almost all polling stations having reported results, Duque led with 39.1 percent of the vote, as expected, while Petro was a distant second with 25.1 percent.

It was the first time in Colombia's modern history that a leftist candidate has reached the second round of a presidential poll.

Centre-left mathematician Sergio Fajardo came a close third, with 23.8 percent, but he declined to endorse either candidate for the second round, saying his voters would make up their own minds.

Campaigning in the traditionally conservative South American nation has been marked by acrimonious accusations that Duque and Petro - from opposite ends of the political spectrum - risked dragging the country back to the battlefield or collapse the economy with socialist policies.

But with Fajardo and the other losing candidates committed to the peace process, Duque may need to soften his stance against the FARC to attract wavering voters, while emphasizing the dangers he says Petro poses for the economy.

Petro, 58, in turn, may seek to allay concerns that his economic policies would lead to a crisis of the kind unfolding across the border in socialist-run Venezuela.

"I'm worried ... Populism is strengthening," said Nicolas Goyeneche, a 28-year-old student, wearing a Duque hat at the candidate's celebration party in the capital Bogota. "But in the second round, we'll beat populism."

Business-friendly Duque was handpicked by hardline former President Alvaro Uribe, who is seen as the power behind his campaign. As well as impose tougher punishments on former FARC fighters, Duque has promised to cut corporate taxes and support oil and mining projects.

"We don't want to shatter the agreement, we want to make it clear that a Colombia of peace is a Colombia where peace meets justice," he said as supporters waved balloons and chanted his name.

"Those most responsible must truly make amends to Colombia ... because if we don't have that, peace will never be lasting."

Under the terms of the 2016 peace deal, thousands of rebels demobilized and the group became a political party. But the accord angered many who believe FARC commanders should be in prison and not in Congress.

Some areas abandoned by the FARC have suffered an increase in fighting between criminal gangs and a remaining guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), over valuable illegal mining and drug trafficking territories.

Colombia's production of coca, the raw material for cocaine, has risen sharply, stirring concern in Washington.

Specter of Venezuela

"Mathematically there's a fact - the advantage Duque had over us has diminished," said Petro, surrounded by his family as supporters cheered. "Have certainty that we're going to win, that Colombia's history can be changed."

Petro, a combative populist who was once a member of the now defunct M19 rebel group, supports the peace deal. But some of his economic policies spook investors and have prompted rivals to compare him to former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

A flood of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans streaming across the border to flee shortages of food and rising crime has alarmed many Colombians and prompted Santos' outgoing government to appeal for international aid.

Petro has promised to take power away from political and social elites who he says have stymied progress, as well as carry out a complete economic overhaul.

At his election night party in the capital, communist party militants waved red flags above the crowd.

"When we talk about defeating poverty, we're not talking about impoverishing the rich, but about enriching the poor," Petro said.

In a country where oil and coal are the top export earners, Petro's pledges to end extractive industries and shift the focus of state-run oil company Ecopetrol to renewable energy have dismayed business leaders.

Petro voters are excited by the possibility the right-wing status quo could be overhauled and a leftist president installed for the first time in Colombia's history.

Polls suggest the end of the FARC conflict has shifted voters' priorities to inequality and corruption from security issues - opening the door to the left for the first time.

"I'm very happy," said Diego Rodriquez, a 38-year-old sociologist. Not only for the passage of Petro to the second round, but because the center-left represented by Petro and Fajardo has more votes than the candidate of the right."

The first election since the peace accord was signed with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2016 now heads for a June 17 runoff to select the successor to President Juan Manuel Santos

Right-winger Ivan Duque, who wants to overhaul a peace deal with Marxist rebels, won Colombia's first-round presidential election on Sunday, setting up a runoff next month with leftist Gustavo Petro, who has pledged to confront privileged elites. The first election since the peace accord was signed with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2016 now heads for a June 17 runoff to select the successor to President Juan Manuel Santos, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for ending the five-decade-old conflict. Duque, 41, has pledged to toughen the terms of the peace deal and ensure former rebels pay for their war crimes, while Petro has provoked alarm among investors with pledges to overhaul Colombia's orthodox economic policy and redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor. With almost all polling stations having reported results, Duque led with 39.1 percent of the vote, as expected, while Petro was a distant second with 25.1 percent. It was the first time in Colombia's modern history that a leftist candidate has reached the second round of a presidential poll. Centre-left mathematician Sergio Fajardo came a close third, with 23.8 percent, but he declined to endorse either candidate for the second round, saying his voters would make up their own minds. Campaigning in the traditionally conservative South American nation has been marked by acrimonious accusations that Duque and Petro - from opposite ends of the political spectrum - risked dragging the country back to the battlefield or collapse the economy with socialist policies. But with Fajardo and the other losing candidates committed to the peace process, Duque may need to soften his stance against the FARC to attract wavering voters, while emphasizing the dangers he says Petro poses for the economy. Petro, 58, in turn, may seek to allay concerns that his economic policies would lead to a crisis of the kind unfolding across the border in socialist-run Venezuela. "I'm worried ... Populism is strengthening," said Nicolas Goyeneche, a 28-year-old student, wearing a Duque hat at the candidate's celebration party in the capital Bogota. "But in the second round, we'll beat populism." Business-friendly Duque was handpicked by hardline former President Alvaro Uribe, who is seen as the power behind his campaign. As well as impose tougher punishments on former FARC fighters, Duque has promised to cut corporate taxes and support oil and mining projects. "We don't want to shatter the agreement, we want to make it clear that a Colombia of peace is a Colombia where peace meets justice," he said as supporters waved balloons and chanted his name. "Those most responsible must truly make amends to Colombia ... because if we don't have that, peace will never be lasting." Under the terms of the 2016 peace deal, thousands of rebels demobilized and the group became a political party. But the accord angered many who believe FARC commanders should be in prison and not in Congress. Some areas abandoned by the FARC have suffered an increase in fighting between criminal gangs and a remaining guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), over valuable illegal mining and drug trafficking territories. Colombia's production of coca, the raw material for cocaine, has risen sharply, stirring concern in Washington. Specter of Venezuela "Mathematically there's a fact - the advantage Duque had over us has diminished," said Petro, surrounded by his family as supporters cheered. "Have certainty that we're going to win, that Colombia's history can be changed." Petro, a combative populist who was once a member of the now defunct M19 rebel group, supports the peace deal. But some of his economic policies spook investors and have prompted rivals to compare him to former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. A flood of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans streaming across the border to flee shortages of food and rising crime has alarmed many Colombians and prompted Santos' outgoing government to appeal for international aid. Petro has promised to take power away from political and social elites who he says have stymied progress, as well as carry out a complete economic overhaul. At his election night party in the capital, communist party militants waved red flags above the crowd. "When we talk about defeating poverty, we're not talking about impoverishing the rich, but about enriching the poor," Petro said. In a country where oil and coal are the top export earners, Petro's pledges to end extractive industries and shift the focus of state-run oil company Ecopetrol to renewable energy have dismayed business leaders. Petro voters are excited by the possibility the right-wing status quo could be overhauled and a leftist president installed for the first time in Colombia's history. Polls suggest the end of the FARC conflict has shifted voters' priorities to inequality and corruption from security issues - opening the door to the left for the first time. "I'm very happy," said Diego Rodriquez, a 38-year-old sociologist. Not only for the passage of Petro to the second round, but because the center-left represented by Petro and Fajardo has more votes than the candidate of the right."

Columbia: Right-winger Ivan Duque wins first-round presidential election

Despite Venezuelans suffering through the world's highest inflation rate and a devastating economic and political crisis that has triggered a massive refugee crisis, President Nicolas Maduro is expected to win re-election in the controversial presidential vote on Sunday (May 20).

There is widespread discontent with the burly and mustachioed Maduro who lacks the magnetism of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, for whom many still proclaim a near-religious devotion. Chavez, who died in March 2013, named Maduro, his-then vice president, as his successor.

Two months later, the former bus driver was elected by a margin of less than 2% over opposition candidate Henrique Capriles, who along with Leopoldo Lopez and other major rivals, is barred from running during this election.

The price of oil plummeted in 2014, challenging the new administration of the OPEC nation that soon had annual inflation of over 50%.

Maduro asked Congress to grant him special powers for a year, which he used to institute greater state control over institutions including economic measures and price controls. He has extended his rule by decree throughout the majority of his presidency.

Despite the rocky start, Venezuelans voted in socialist allies in local elections in November 2013, chiefly because of the enduring loyalty many of the country's poor feel toward Chavez. Chavez's 1999-2013 government was, for much of country's poor majority, the first administration that had their interests at heart after decades of elites alternating power.

Widespread discontent, rising crime and a sinking economy that included food and medicine shortages led to protests in February of 2014, in which dozens were killed.

The opposition won control of the National Assembly in December 2015 and became a leading voice in dissent against the government.

In July of 2017, Maduro installed a new Constituent Assembly in which all candidates belonged to the Socialist Party. The controversial assembly has ushered in pro-Maduro votes, in efforts to counteract the National Assembly.

Talks between the opposition and Maduro's administration have failed and protests have weakened as many opposition figures have fled the country.

Refugees have flooded South America and Spain but Maduro has continued to build on his base of one-fifth of the population that identifies as the bedrock of "Chavismo" as he runs his campaign.

Critics say a government-provided food-box or rations and occasional bonuses keep needy Venezuelans dependent on the state, and fearful of voting against the hand that feeds them, but the opposition is torn by internal rivalries.

But despite approval levels that hover around 20-25 percent in the last few years, 55-year-old Maduro is expected to usher in a win, defying U.S. and EU criticism and bringing the nation closer to allies like China and Russia.

Maduro asked Congress to grant him special powers for a year, which he used to institute greater state control over institutions including economic measures and price controls

Despite Venezuelans suffering through the world's highest inflation rate and a devastating economic and political crisis that has triggered a massive refugee crisis, President Nicolas Maduro is expected to win re-election in the controversial presidential vote on Sunday (May 20). There is widespread discontent with the burly and mustachioed Maduro who lacks the magnetism of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, for whom many still proclaim a near-religious devotion. Chavez, who died in March 2013, named Maduro, his-then vice president, as his successor. Two months later, the former bus driver was elected by a margin of less than 2% over opposition candidate Henrique Capriles, who along with Leopoldo Lopez and other major rivals, is barred from running during this election. The price of oil plummeted in 2014, challenging the new administration of the OPEC nation that soon had annual inflation of over 50%. Maduro asked Congress to grant him special powers for a year, which he used to institute greater state control over institutions including economic measures and price controls. He has extended his rule by decree throughout the majority of his presidency. Despite the rocky start, Venezuelans voted in socialist allies in local elections in November 2013, chiefly because of the enduring loyalty many of the country's poor feel toward Chavez. Chavez's 1999-2013 government was, for much of country's poor majority, the first administration that had their interests at heart after decades of elites alternating power. Widespread discontent, rising crime and a sinking economy that included food and medicine shortages led to protests in February of 2014, in which dozens were killed. The opposition won control of the National Assembly in December 2015 and became a leading voice in dissent against the government. In July of 2017, Maduro installed a new Constituent Assembly in which all candidates belonged to the Socialist Party. The controversial assembly has ushered in pro-Maduro votes, in efforts to counteract the National Assembly. Talks between the opposition and Maduro's administration have failed and protests have weakened as many opposition figures have fled the country. Refugees have flooded South America and Spain but Maduro has continued to build on his base of one-fifth of the population that identifies as the bedrock of "Chavismo" as he runs his campaign. Critics say a government-provided food-box or rations and occasional bonuses keep needy Venezuelans dependent on the state, and fearful of voting against the hand that feeds them, but the opposition is torn by internal rivalries. But despite approval levels that hover around 20-25 percent in the last few years, 55-year-old Maduro is expected to usher in a win, defying U.S. and EU criticism and bringing the nation closer to allies like China and Russia.

A look at Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ahead of presidential election

With current President Vladimir Putin widely expected to win, the biggest headache for his campaign was the possibility many voters, including Putin supporters, would not bother to come to the poll stations as they feel&nbsp;the outcome is a foregone conclusion.

Putin opponents alleged employers with close ties to the state were ordering staff to go and vote and send back evidence.&nbsp;

As many as 54.69 per cent&nbsp;of voters have cast their ballots in Kolyma, beating the record of the 2012 election. &quot;The most active voters are in the Severo-Evensky District, where the voter turnout reached&nbsp;73 per cent,&quot; the regional election commission said.

&quot;The turnout this year is higher than in 2012. That is evidenced by the data as of 10:00 a.m. [07:00 GMT] and the noon ... Today we have already received 250 reports about violations. About a half of them were not confirmed and turned out to be fake,&quot; co-chair of the Russia Elects observers&#39; movement Elena Babchenkova said on Sunday, adding that the voter turnout this year was higher than in 2012.

As of 3 p.m. local time (07 a.m. Moscow Time) the voter turnout in the Sakhalin Region reached 48.34 per cent. &quot;The most active voters are in the Kuril Islands, in Iturup where 67.24 per cent&nbsp;voted some 5 hours before the ballot stations&rsquo; closure. Some 47.21 per cent&nbsp;voters cast their votes in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.&quot;

Babchenkova pointed out that in some cases fake news was disseminated deliberately and added that all the incidents were solved at the site without requests to the Central Election Commission.

Observers monitoring Russia&#39;s presidential election online on Sunday cried foul and shared videos with alleged violations in different parts of the country.

Social media were filled with extracts of the official online streams from the polling stations, in which the actions of voters raise suspicion of ballot stuffing.

The presidential election is set to give Vladimir Putin a runaway victory, the only possible blemish for the Kremlin being if large numbers of voters do not bother taking part because the result is so predictable.

Opinion polls give Putin, the incumbent, support of around 70 per cent, or nearly 10 times the backing of his nearest challenger. Another term will take him to nearly a quarter century in power - a longevity among Kremlin leaders second only to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

As many as 54.69% of voters have cast their ballots in Kolyma, beating the record of the 2012 election

With current President Vladimir Putin widely expected to win, the biggest headache for his campaign was the possibility many voters, including Putin supporters, would not bother to come to the poll stations as they feel the outcome is a foregone conclusion. Putin opponents alleged employers with close ties to the state were ordering staff to go and vote and send back evidence. As many as 54.69 per cent of voters have cast their ballots in Kolyma, beating the record of the 2012 election. "The most active voters are in the Severo-Evensky District, where the voter turnout reached 73 per cent," the regional election commission said. "The turnout this year is higher than in 2012. That is evidenced by the data as of 10:00 a.m. [07:00 GMT] and the noon ... Today we have already received 250 reports about violations. About a half of them were not confirmed and turned out to be fake," co-chair of the Russia Elects observers' movement Elena Babchenkova said on Sunday, adding that the voter turnout this year was higher than in 2012. As of 3 p.m. local time (07 a.m. Moscow Time) the voter turnout in the Sakhalin Region reached 48.34 per cent. "The most active voters are in the Kuril Islands, in Iturup where 67.24 per cent voted some 5 hours before the ballot stations’ closure. Some 47.21 per cent voters cast their votes in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk." Babchenkova pointed out that in some cases fake news was disseminated deliberately and added that all the incidents were solved at the site without requests to the Central Election Commission. Observers monitoring Russia's presidential election online on Sunday cried foul and shared videos with alleged violations in different parts of the country. Social media were filled with extracts of the official online streams from the polling stations, in which the actions of voters raise suspicion of ballot stuffing. The presidential election is set to give Vladimir Putin a runaway victory, the only possible blemish for the Kremlin being if large numbers of voters do not bother taking part because the result is so predictable. Opinion polls give Putin, the incumbent, support of around 70 per cent, or nearly 10 times the backing of his nearest challenger. Another term will take him to nearly a quarter century in power - a longevity among Kremlin leaders second only to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

Russian Presidential Election: Many Putin supporters not turning out as outcome is foregone conclusion

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hillary-clinton-arrives-on-three-day-private-visit-to-india-35487" target="_blank">Hillary Clinton who visited India for a&nbsp;three-day private visit</a> to Madhya Pradesh said that&nbsp; United States did not &ldquo;deserve&rdquo; Donald Trump&rsquo;s presidency and these are &ldquo;perilous times.&rdquo;

Clinton said this while addressing an audience during the weekend in Mumbai.

She said that the Republican president has &ldquo;quite an affinity for dictators&rdquo; and Trump &ldquo;really likes their authoritarian posturing and behavior.&rdquo;&nbsp;

She also added that she thinks it&rsquo;s &ldquo;more than that&rdquo; with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia.

Clinton also targetted people who supported Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential elections.

While speaking at a media event in Mumbai she had said those who supported Trump did so because they did not like black people getting rights, women getting jobs or Indian-American succeeding more than them.

Clinton was recently in India on a business tour.

&nbsp;

While speaking at a media event in Mumbai she had said those who supported Trump did so because they did not like black people getting rights, women getting jobs or Indian-American succeeding more than them

Hillary Clinton who visited India for a three-day private visit to Madhya Pradesh said that United States did not “deserve” Donald Trump’s presidency and these are “perilous times.” Clinton said this while addressing an audience during the weekend in Mumbai. She said that the Republican president has “quite an affinity for dictators” and Trump “really likes their authoritarian posturing and behavior.” She also added that she thinks it’s “more than that” with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia. Clinton also targetted people who supported Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential elections. While speaking at a media event in Mumbai she had said those who supported Trump did so because they did not like black people getting rights, women getting jobs or Indian-American succeeding more than them. Clinton was recently in India on a business tour.

United States did not 'deserve' Donald Trump's presidency: Hillary Clinton

Soon after Vladimir Putin is re-elected on Sunday, his thoughts will turn to the question that is likely to dominate his next term as Russia&rsquo;s president: what will he do when it ends?&nbsp;

Putin&rsquo;s victory in the presidential election is not in doubt as his ratings are high and he has the state machinery behind him, but how long the man who has dominated Russia for nearly 18 years wants to stay power is uncertain.

The constitution limits the president to two successive terms, obliging him to step down at the end of his mandate &mdash; as he did in 2008 after serving two four-year terms.

His mandate will not expire until 2024 but the problem needs immediate attention because the uncertainty about his long-term future is a source of instability in a fractious ruling elite that only he can keep in check.

&ldquo;The Russian political scene is entering a new phase,&rdquo; said Gleb Pavlovsky, a former Kremlin adviser who is now critical of the country&rsquo;s leadership.&ldquo;Most discussion within the ruling elite focuses not on the next stage of the Putin era but on what will constitute the post-Putin era.&rdquo;

Vygaudas Usackas, the European Union&rsquo;s ambassador to Russia until last October, says the stakes are high.

&ldquo;This is a risky moment for the system,&rdquo; said Usackas, who is now director of the Institute of Europe at Lithuania&rsquo;s Kaunas University of Technology.

Putin has at least three main options. He could take a leaf out of Chinese President Xi Jinping&rsquo;s book and seek an end to term limits, hand over to a place-holder for a term and then return, or anoint a successor and bow out of public life.

Each choice carries risks and Putin may have other options up his sleeve. A former spy, he is secretive and likes to pull surprises. But the uncertainty about his plans is potentially more destabilizing than anything for the ruling elite, the political, security and business leaders around Putin.&nbsp;

Two sources close to the Kremlin said there was, as yet, no plan for when Putin&rsquo;s term ends. The matter is so sensitive that they agreed to talk only on condition of anonymity.

Russia&rsquo;s ruling system, while projecting an image of unity, is divided along many lines &mdash; between security hawks and economic liberals, between people with personal vendettas, and between competing for business interests.

Putin holds the disparate interests together, so any hint of a vacuum at the centre of the system is risky.

PUTIN FOREVER

Putin is so entrenched within Russia&rsquo;s ruling system that many of its members can imagine no other leader. Many in-state companies and major banks say they anticipate no real change at the top when Putin&rsquo;s next term ends.

&ldquo;There are no discussions in the corridors about the succession. It&rsquo;s as if people know that he (Putin) will be around forever,&rdquo; said a source in a government ministry.

If Putin wants the constitution changed to allow a third successive term, he will need two-thirds support in the lower house of parliament, three-quarters in the upper chamber and approval in two-thirds of regional legislatures.&nbsp;

All are institutions where Kremlin allies are the overwhelming majority but Putin has said will not change the constitution to stay in power. 
&nbsp; 
If he did so, he would risk a backlash from voters who might see it as Russia turning its back on democracy. He also avoided the temptation to tinker with the constitution to extend his rule in 2008, when he last faced term limits.

Instead, he stepped aside and let a loyal lieutenant, Dmitry Medvedev, run for president, certain he would win with the Kremlin&rsquo;s backing. Putin, who became prime minister for four years, secure re-election when Medvedev&rsquo;s term ended in 2012, and Medvedev has been prime minister since then.

Putin controlled the country from the wings between 2008 and 2012 and might see a similar move as an option now. Medvedev&rsquo;s ratings are much lower than Putin&rsquo;s but the ruling elite could accept him as a tried-and-tested proxy for Putin.

&ldquo;Only Medvedev,&rdquo; a source in government circles told Reuters when asked who could be president after Putin.&ldquo;Everyone is afraid of change.&rdquo;&nbsp;

FATIGUE

Age, though, might now get in the way of Putin.&nbsp;

He is in robust physical shape but will be 71 when his fourth term ends. If he again stepped aside for a full term, he would be 77 on his return &mdash; the presidential term was extended to six years in 2008 during Medvedev&rsquo;s presidency.

One of the sources close to the Kremlin said Putin does sometimes feel extremely tired, but largely through exasperation at officials&rsquo; incompetence and bureaucratic sloth.

During a meeting with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko in 2016, Putin was caught on an open microphone confiding to his ally:&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t get enough sleep. The day before yesterday I slept for four hours, last night I got five hours.&rdquo;

Putin might also be loath to rule in his late seventies as he has portrayed himself as a healthy and energetic leader since replacing the ailing Boris Yeltsin and providing the vitality lacked by most leaders in the dying days of the Soviet Union.

He will soon have ruled longer than Soviet Communist leader Leonid Brezhnev, whose 18-year rule from 1964 to 1982 is primarily associated with stagnation, though dictator Josef Stalin ruled the Soviet Union for three decades.

To enjoy a restful retirement, Putin would need to anoint a fully fledged successor who can hold on to power in his or her own right and also protect the interests of the ruling elite.

Kremlin insiders say Putin has selected no heir apparent, and that any names being circulated are the product of speculation, not knowledge of Putin&rsquo;s thinking.

The names include Igor Sechin, head of state oil firm Rosneft; Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu; Igor Dyumin, a former Putin bodyguard who became a regional governor, and Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin.&nbsp;

Anointing a successor also entails dangers for Putin as doing so too soon would risk him becoming a lame duck, allegiances shifting from him to the heir apparent and new turf wars being set off in the ruling elite.

Above all, Putin will want to ensure any successor can hold on to power, will protect him and will not dismantle the system built around him.

Handing over to an heir, while eventually inevitable, will therefore also be Putin&rsquo;s riskiest path.

&ldquo;The longer he stays in power, the harder it will be to exit,&rdquo; said Andrei Kolesnikov, senior fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center, a think tank.&ldquo;How can he abandon such a complicated system, which is essentially his personal project?&rdquo;&nbsp;

The constitution limits the president to two successive terms, obliging him to step down at the end of his mandate — as he did in 2008 after serving two four-year terms

Soon after Vladimir Putin is re-elected on Sunday, his thoughts will turn to the question that is likely to dominate his next term as Russia’s president: what will he do when it ends? Putin’s victory in the presidential election is not in doubt as his ratings are high and he has the state machinery behind him, but how long the man who has dominated Russia for nearly 18 years wants to stay power is uncertain. The constitution limits the president to two successive terms, obliging him to step down at the end of his mandate — as he did in 2008 after serving two four-year terms. His mandate will not expire until 2024 but the problem needs immediate attention because the uncertainty about his long-term future is a source of instability in a fractious ruling elite that only he can keep in check. “The Russian political scene is entering a new phase,” said Gleb Pavlovsky, a former Kremlin adviser who is now critical of the country’s leadership.“Most discussion within the ruling elite focuses not on the next stage of the Putin era but on what will constitute the post-Putin era.” Vygaudas Usackas, the European Union’s ambassador to Russia until last October, says the stakes are high. “This is a risky moment for the system,” said Usackas, who is now director of the Institute of Europe at Lithuania’s Kaunas University of Technology. Putin has at least three main options. He could take a leaf out of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s book and seek an end to term limits, hand over to a place-holder for a term and then return, or anoint a successor and bow out of public life. Each choice carries risks and Putin may have other options up his sleeve. A former spy, he is secretive and likes to pull surprises. But the uncertainty about his plans is potentially more destabilizing than anything for the ruling elite, the political, security and business leaders around Putin. Two sources close to the Kremlin said there was, as yet, no plan for when Putin’s term ends. The matter is so sensitive that they agreed to talk only on condition of anonymity. Russia’s ruling system, while projecting an image of unity, is divided along many lines — between security hawks and economic liberals, between people with personal vendettas, and between competing for business interests. Putin holds the disparate interests together, so any hint of a vacuum at the centre of the system is risky. PUTIN FOREVER Putin is so entrenched within Russia’s ruling system that many of its members can imagine no other leader. Many in-state companies and major banks say they anticipate no real change at the top when Putin’s next term ends. “There are no discussions in the corridors about the succession. It’s as if people know that he (Putin) will be around forever,” said a source in a government ministry. If Putin wants the constitution changed to allow a third successive term, he will need two-thirds support in the lower house of parliament, three-quarters in the upper chamber and approval in two-thirds of regional legislatures. All are institutions where Kremlin allies are the overwhelming majority but Putin has said will not change the constitution to stay in power. If he did so, he would risk a backlash from voters who might see it as Russia turning its back on democracy. He also avoided the temptation to tinker with the constitution to extend his rule in 2008, when he last faced term limits. Instead, he stepped aside and let a loyal lieutenant, Dmitry Medvedev, run for president, certain he would win with the Kremlin’s backing. Putin, who became prime minister for four years, secure re-election when Medvedev’s term ended in 2012, and Medvedev has been prime minister since then. Putin controlled the country from the wings between 2008 and 2012 and might see a similar move as an option now. Medvedev’s ratings are much lower than Putin’s but the ruling elite could accept him as a tried-and-tested proxy for Putin. “Only Medvedev,” a source in government circles told Reuters when asked who could be president after Putin.“Everyone is afraid of change.” FATIGUE Age, though, might now get in the way of Putin. He is in robust physical shape but will be 71 when his fourth term ends. If he again stepped aside for a full term, he would be 77 on his return — the presidential term was extended to six years in 2008 during Medvedev’s presidency. One of the sources close to the Kremlin said Putin does sometimes feel extremely tired, but largely through exasperation at officials’ incompetence and bureaucratic sloth. During a meeting with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko in 2016, Putin was caught on an open microphone confiding to his ally:“I don’t get enough sleep. The day before yesterday I slept for four hours, last night I got five hours.” Putin might also be loath to rule in his late seventies as he has portrayed himself as a healthy and energetic leader since replacing the ailing Boris Yeltsin and providing the vitality lacked by most leaders in the dying days of the Soviet Union. He will soon have ruled longer than Soviet Communist leader Leonid Brezhnev, whose 18-year rule from 1964 to 1982 is primarily associated with stagnation, though dictator Josef Stalin ruled the Soviet Union for three decades. To enjoy a restful retirement, Putin would need to anoint a fully fledged successor who can hold on to power in his or her own right and also protect the interests of the ruling elite. Kremlin insiders say Putin has selected no heir apparent, and that any names being circulated are the product of speculation, not knowledge of Putin’s thinking. The names include Igor Sechin, head of state oil firm Rosneft; Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu; Igor Dyumin, a former Putin bodyguard who became a regional governor, and Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Anointing a successor also entails dangers for Putin as doing so too soon would risk him becoming a lame duck, allegiances shifting from him to the heir apparent and new turf wars being set off in the ruling elite. Above all, Putin will want to ensure any successor can hold on to power, will protect him and will not dismantle the system built around him. Handing over to an heir, while eventually inevitable, will therefore also be Putin’s riskiest path. “The longer he stays in power, the harder it will be to exit,” said Andrei Kolesnikov, senior fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center, a think tank.“How can he abandon such a complicated system, which is essentially his personal project?”

Vladimir Putin has Russia guessing before election: How long will he hold on to power?

The United States on Thursday accused Moscow of openly breaching Cold War-era treaties by developing what Russian President Vladimir Putin called a new generation of &quot;invincible&quot; hypersonic weapons and submarines.

Putin unveiled the new arsenal earlier Thursday in a state of the nation address, challenging Washington to a new arms race ahead of a presidential election that will all but certainly confirm his grip on power.

Putin left his usual Kremlin perch to this year speak from a nearby exhibition centre -- allowing him to show a series of video montages of missiles crossing mountains and oceans, heading over the Atlantic before striking the US eastern seaboard.

He quoted a speech he gave in 2004, vowing that Russia would develop a new generation of weaponry, a promise that he said he has now fulfilled.

&quot;No one really wanted to talk to us basically. No one listened to us then. Listen to us now,&quot; Putin said, prompting a standing ovation from the audience of top officials, lawmakers and celebrities.

He presented Russia&#39;s military efforts as a response to recent actions by the United States, which last month unveiled plans to revamp its own nuclear arsenal and develop new low-yield atomic weapons.

&#39;Cheesy&#39; attack video 

The State Department expressed outrage at Putin&#39;s presentation and his &quot;cheesy&quot; animated video of warheads over US soil -- and said the Russian leader had confirmed long-held allegations about his program.

&quot;It was certainly unfortunate to have watched the video animation that depicted a nuclear attack on the United States,&quot; spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters.

&quot;That&#39;s something that we certainly didn&#39;t enjoy watching. We don&#39;t regard that as the behaviour of a responsible international player,&quot; she added.

&quot;President Putin has confirmed what the United States government has known for a long time but that Russia has denied prior to this,&quot; she added.

&quot;Russia has been developing destabilizing weapons systems for more than a decade in direct violation of its treaty obligations.&quot;

Specifically, Nauert said that Moscow had proven itself in violation of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), through its development of ground-launched cruise missiles.

The Pentagon reacted with more equanimity, with a spokesman insisting that the US military remains &quot;fully prepared&quot; to react to &quot;anything that comes our way.&quot; &nbsp;

The United States has long accused Russia of breaching the INF treaty and, while it is modernizing its own nuclear arsenal, says that it remains in compliance with the terms of the Cold War accord.

The spat came as relations between the powers lie frozen at levels not seen since the Cold War over the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria and accusations that Moscow interfered in the US presidential election in 2016.

Also Thursday, the US formally approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, which is fighting a Russian-backed insurgency in the east of the country.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Ukraine has asked President Donald Trump&#39;s US administration for permission to buy 210 missiles and 37 launchers at a cost of around $47 million

&#39;Fantastic&#39; submarines&nbsp;

In a speech that ran almost two hours, Putin showed tests of a new missile system that he said could fly at 20 times the speed of sound and manoeuvre up and down and is not owned by any other country.&nbsp;

&quot;This makes it absolutely invincible for any forms of air and missile defence,&quot; he boasted, calling it an &quot;ideal weapon.&quot;

Russia has also developed unmanned underwater devices that move much faster than submarines and torpedoes and can carry nuclear warheads, Putin said, adding: &quot;It&#39;s just fantastic!&quot;

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu later said Russian arms would be able to &quot;overcome all existing anti-missile systems&quot; such as those the US intends to deploy in eastern Europe and South Korea.

&quot;This anti-missile &#39;umbrella&#39; turns out to be a bit &#39;leaky&#39;,&quot; he said in comments released by his ministry.

Putin, who has led Russia for almost two decades and is seeking in the March 18 election a historic fourth Kremlin term that would extend his rule to 2024, also laid out a number of domestic measures in the speech.

Putin has refused to take part in TV debates with other candidates, but the address suggested cutting poverty and improving the environment would be among the top goals of his expected new six-year term.

- &#39;Unacceptable&#39; poverty - 
The 65-year-old vowed to cut the country&#39;s &quot;unacceptable&quot; poverty rate in half over six years but said 22 million fewer Russians were now living below the poverty line than when he was first elected president.

Putin, who coughed throughout the speech and was forced to pause to drink, was given an ecstatic reception in the hall during the televised address but some online comments were less complimentary.

&quot;The old man only perked up when he was talking about how he can destroy the world. A moment of truth!&quot; former Kremlin advisor Gleb Pavlovsky said on social media.

Despite Putin&#39;s campaign promises when he returned to the Kremlin in 2012 after four years as prime minister, his last term was marked by a fall in living standards and Russia&#39;s international isolation.

Boosted by a slavish media and foreign military adventures such as the annexation of Crimea in 2014, his approval rating remains sky-high and official polls suggest he will take almost 70 percent of the vote on March 18.

Putin unveiled the new arsenal earlier Thursday in a state of the nation address, challenging Washington to a new arms race ahead of a presidential election that will all but certainly confirm his grip on power.

The United States on Thursday accused Moscow of openly breaching Cold War-era treaties by developing what Russian President Vladimir Putin called a new generation of "invincible" hypersonic weapons and submarines. Putin unveiled the new arsenal earlier Thursday in a state of the nation address, challenging Washington to a new arms race ahead of a presidential election that will all but certainly confirm his grip on power. Putin left his usual Kremlin perch to this year speak from a nearby exhibition centre -- allowing him to show a series of video montages of missiles crossing mountains and oceans, heading over the Atlantic before striking the US eastern seaboard. He quoted a speech he gave in 2004, vowing that Russia would develop a new generation of weaponry, a promise that he said he has now fulfilled. "No one really wanted to talk to us basically. No one listened to us then. Listen to us now," Putin said, prompting a standing ovation from the audience of top officials, lawmakers and celebrities. He presented Russia's military efforts as a response to recent actions by the United States, which last month unveiled plans to revamp its own nuclear arsenal and develop new low-yield atomic weapons. 'Cheesy' attack video The State Department expressed outrage at Putin's presentation and his "cheesy" animated video of warheads over US soil -- and said the Russian leader had confirmed long-held allegations about his program. "It was certainly unfortunate to have watched the video animation that depicted a nuclear attack on the United States," spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters. "That's something that we certainly didn't enjoy watching. We don't regard that as the behaviour of a responsible international player," she added. "President Putin has confirmed what the United States government has known for a long time but that Russia has denied prior to this," she added. "Russia has been developing destabilizing weapons systems for more than a decade in direct violation of its treaty obligations." Specifically, Nauert said that Moscow had proven itself in violation of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), through its development of ground-launched cruise missiles. The Pentagon reacted with more equanimity, with a spokesman insisting that the US military remains "fully prepared" to react to "anything that comes our way." The United States has long accused Russia of breaching the INF treaty and, while it is modernizing its own nuclear arsenal, says that it remains in compliance with the terms of the Cold War accord. The spat came as relations between the powers lie frozen at levels not seen since the Cold War over the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria and accusations that Moscow interfered in the US presidential election in 2016. Also Thursday, the US formally approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, which is fighting a Russian-backed insurgency in the east of the country. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Ukraine has asked President Donald Trump's US administration for permission to buy 210 missiles and 37 launchers at a cost of around $47 million 'Fantastic' submarines In a speech that ran almost two hours, Putin showed tests of a new missile system that he said could fly at 20 times the speed of sound and manoeuvre up and down and is not owned by any other country. "This makes it absolutely invincible for any forms of air and missile defence," he boasted, calling it an "ideal weapon." Russia has also developed unmanned underwater devices that move much faster than submarines and torpedoes and can carry nuclear warheads, Putin said, adding: "It's just fantastic!" Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu later said Russian arms would be able to "overcome all existing anti-missile systems" such as those the US intends to deploy in eastern Europe and South Korea. "This anti-missile 'umbrella' turns out to be a bit 'leaky'," he said in comments released by his ministry. Putin, who has led Russia for almost two decades and is seeking in the March 18 election a historic fourth Kremlin term that would extend his rule to 2024, also laid out a number of domestic measures in the speech. Putin has refused to take part in TV debates with other candidates, but the address suggested cutting poverty and improving the environment would be among the top goals of his expected new six-year term. - 'Unacceptable' poverty - The 65-year-old vowed to cut the country's "unacceptable" poverty rate in half over six years but said 22 million fewer Russians were now living below the poverty line than when he was first elected president. Putin, who coughed throughout the speech and was forced to pause to drink, was given an ecstatic reception in the hall during the televised address but some online comments were less complimentary. "The old man only perked up when he was talking about how he can destroy the world. A moment of truth!" former Kremlin advisor Gleb Pavlovsky said on social media. Despite Putin's campaign promises when he returned to the Kremlin in 2012 after four years as prime minister, his last term was marked by a fall in living standards and Russia's international isolation. Boosted by a slavish media and foreign military adventures such as the annexation of Crimea in 2014, his approval rating remains sky-high and official polls suggest he will take almost 70 percent of the vote on March 18.

US accuses Russia of breaching treaties with 'invincible' weapons

Venezuela&#39;s election board said on Thursday it was postponing an upcoming presidential vote from April 22 to the second half of May following an agreement between the government and some opposition parties.

Presidential elections in Venezuela are normally held at the end of the year, and critics had accused authorities of moving the vote forward to wrongfoot the opposition and benefit President Nicolas Maduro&#39;s re-election bid.

The leading opposition coalition is boycotting the poll, but one presidential hopeful, Henri Falcon, has already launched his candidacy.

Falcon, a 56-year-old former state governor, believes he can win by taking advantage of widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling socialists over Venezuela&#39;s dire economic crisis.&nbsp;

But Maduro&#39;s two strongest opposition rivals are both barred from standing.

The United States is also considering imposing sanctions against Maduro&#39;s government due to what it says are unfair conditions for the presidential vote. 
&nbsp;

The United States is also considering imposing sanctions against Maduro's government

Venezuela's election board said on Thursday it was postponing an upcoming presidential vote from April 22 to the second half of May following an agreement between the government and some opposition parties. Presidential elections in Venezuela are normally held at the end of the year, and critics had accused authorities of moving the vote forward to wrongfoot the opposition and benefit President Nicolas Maduro's re-election bid. The leading opposition coalition is boycotting the poll, but one presidential hopeful, Henri Falcon, has already launched his candidacy. Falcon, a 56-year-old former state governor, believes he can win by taking advantage of widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling socialists over Venezuela's dire economic crisis. But Maduro's two strongest opposition rivals are both barred from standing. The United States is also considering imposing sanctions against Maduro's government due to what it says are unfair conditions for the presidential vote.

Venezuela postpones presidential election to late May

Russia&rsquo;s ruling United Russia party will support President Vladimir Putin if he decides to run for a new term in office, its leader, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, said on Thursday.

Putin, 65, has so far kept silent on whether he plans to seek a fourth term in a presidential election due in March 2018.

&ldquo;Our party, and I personally, will support him in this in every possible way,&rdquo; Medvedev said in an interview with Russian television channels broadcast live.

&ldquo;Because we believe that he is a successful president who is leading our country.&rdquo;

'Our party, and I personally, will support him in this in every possible way,' Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview

Russia’s ruling United Russia party will support President Vladimir Putin if he decides to run for a new term in office, its leader, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, said on Thursday. Putin, 65, has so far kept silent on whether he plans to seek a fourth term in a presidential election due in March 2018. “Our party, and I personally, will support him in this in every possible way,” Medvedev said in an interview with Russian television channels broadcast live. “Because we believe that he is a successful president who is leading our country.”

Will back Putin if he seeks new term: PM Medvedev

Voting began Sunday in the first round of Chile&#39;s presidential election, with former president Sebastian Pinera hoping to capitalize on his front-runner status to succeed Socialist leader Michelle Bachelet.

But it was unclear whether Pinera, a conservative 67-year-old billionaire who was president from 2010 to 2014, would gain enough support to avoid a runoff against the runner-up -- likely to be Alejandro Guillier, an independent supported by Bachelet&#39;s Socialists.

Chile&#39;s constitution bans consecutive terms for presidents, but re-election after skipping a term is permissible. Bachelet herself was president from 2006 to 2010 and then re-elected for four more years in 2014.

Pre-vote surveys show the Harvard-educated Pinera with a comfortable lead, but not enough to win the presidency outright.

&quot;It&#39;s not very likely&quot; he will get the 50 per cent or more of ballots needed to avoid a run-off, said political analyst Mauricio Morales of Talca University.

In that case, a second-round showdown would be held between the top two candidates on December 17, and the winner would take over the presidency in March 2018.

- Voter apathy -

Guillier, a 64-year-old former state TV anchor turned senator who presents himself as an independent, has 25 percent of voter support against 44 percent for Pinera, according to opinion polls.

With the outcome weighted heavily in Pinera&#39;s favor, voter apathy could be an issue -- even though there are six other candidates in the race.

Compulsory voting was dropped in 2012, and since then a growing number of Chile&#39;s 14 million eligible voters have decided to stay away from voting booths.

&quot;People don&#39;t want to vote because, really, nobody believes there will be any significant change anywhere. Also, they see who will be president as a foregone conclusion,&quot; said Catalina Gascogne, a 19-year-old student.

Analysts predict that abstention could be as high as 40 per cent, and that Pinera has more motivated voters who will turn out.

About 40,000 Chileans living abroad have already begun casting their ballots, beginning with those living in New Zealand.

- No majority? -

Pinera&#39;s first presidential victory in 2009 elections signified a break from the center-left politics that had reigned in Chile since democracy was restored with the end of Augusto Pinochet&#39;s dictatorship in 1990.

But a Pinera comeback is not seen as a rejection of the overall economic and social model erected in the Bachelet years, during which Chile posted annual growth of 1.8 percent and passed tax and labor reforms, an introduction of free education, and the right to abortion.

&quot;Chileans don&#39;t want to tear down the model, just fix its structure,&quot; Morales said.

Pinera has promised modifications to Bachelet&#39;s reforms, as well as vowing to have Chile join the club of developed nations within eight years.

His effectiveness, though, could be hobbled by a shortfall in legislative support.

&quot;He is not going to have a majority in Congress,&quot; another analyst, Marta Lagos, founder of Latinobarometro and MORI Chile, predicted.

Sunday&#39;s balloting also includes legislative elections for many of the congressional seats. Electoral forecasts suggest the right will increase its representation, but will probably not have the majority in either chamber.

Polls opened at 8:00 am (1100 GMT) and are scheduled to close at 6:00 pm (2100 GMT).

'It's not very likely' Pinera will get the 50% or more of ballots needed to avoid a run-off, said political analyst Mauricio Morales

Voting began Sunday in the first round of Chile's presidential election, with former president Sebastian Pinera hoping to capitalize on his front-runner status to succeed Socialist leader Michelle Bachelet. But it was unclear whether Pinera, a conservative 67-year-old billionaire who was president from 2010 to 2014, would gain enough support to avoid a runoff against the runner-up -- likely to be Alejandro Guillier, an independent supported by Bachelet's Socialists. Chile's constitution bans consecutive terms for presidents, but re-election after skipping a term is permissible. Bachelet herself was president from 2006 to 2010 and then re-elected for four more years in 2014. Pre-vote surveys show the Harvard-educated Pinera with a comfortable lead, but not enough to win the presidency outright. "It's not very likely" he will get the 50 per cent or more of ballots needed to avoid a run-off, said political analyst Mauricio Morales of Talca University. In that case, a second-round showdown would be held between the top two candidates on December 17, and the winner would take over the presidency in March 2018. - Voter apathy - Guillier, a 64-year-old former state TV anchor turned senator who presents himself as an independent, has 25 percent of voter support against 44 percent for Pinera, according to opinion polls. With the outcome weighted heavily in Pinera's favor, voter apathy could be an issue -- even though there are six other candidates in the race. Compulsory voting was dropped in 2012, and since then a growing number of Chile's 14 million eligible voters have decided to stay away from voting booths. "People don't want to vote because, really, nobody believes there will be any significant change anywhere. Also, they see who will be president as a foregone conclusion," said Catalina Gascogne, a 19-year-old student. Analysts predict that abstention could be as high as 40 per cent, and that Pinera has more motivated voters who will turn out. About 40,000 Chileans living abroad have already begun casting their ballots, beginning with those living in New Zealand. - No majority? - Pinera's first presidential victory in 2009 elections signified a break from the center-left politics that had reigned in Chile since democracy was restored with the end of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship in 1990. But a Pinera comeback is not seen as a rejection of the overall economic and social model erected in the Bachelet years, during which Chile posted annual growth of 1.8 percent and passed tax and labor reforms, an introduction of free education, and the right to abortion. "Chileans don't want to tear down the model, just fix its structure," Morales said. Pinera has promised modifications to Bachelet's reforms, as well as vowing to have Chile join the club of developed nations within eight years. His effectiveness, though, could be hobbled by a shortfall in legislative support. "He is not going to have a majority in Congress," another analyst, Marta Lagos, founder of Latinobarometro and MORI Chile, predicted. Sunday's balloting also includes legislative elections for many of the congressional seats. Electoral forecasts suggest the right will increase its representation, but will probably not have the majority in either chamber. Polls opened at 8:00 am (1100 GMT) and are scheduled to close at 6:00 pm (2100 GMT).

Pinera poised for presidential comeback in Chile

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