Massive turnout for Timor presidential vote

The UN says an estimated 86.3 percent of voters turned out at polling stations on Sunday

DILI, East Timor (CNN) -- Counting has begun in East Timor after a reportedly massive turnout in the territory's first ever presidential election.

The United Nations, which is administering East Timor until formal independence next month, says an estimated 86.3 percent of eligible voters exercised their right to vote in Sunday's poll -- a far higher figure than for elections in many established democracies.

The winner of the election will be sworn in shortly after UN Secretary General Kofi Annan declares the territory an independent nation on May 20.

The final result of the election is scheduled to be announced on April 17.

However, barring a massive change of fortune, one man -- former guerilla leader Xanana Gusmao -- is expected to win the vote.

Although he says he lacks the experience to be president and does not want the job, a vast majority of East Timorese regard Gusmao as the hero of the independence struggle and the territory's natural leader.

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If as expected he is elected to the post, he says he will focus on encouraging economic growth and opening East Timor to foreign investment.

The only other candidate on the ballot was Francisco Xavier do Amaral, who briefly held the East Timorese presidency before the Indonesian invasion in 1975.

He has said he is resigned to coming in second.

According to police, only three minor incidents were reported at polling stations during the voting period.

'Historic moment'

The final result of the ballot will be announced on April 17

Speaking after voting had ended Sunday evening, Sergio Vieira de Mello, Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General in East Timor, called the vote an "historic moment" on the route to independence.

"The East Timorese have shown their enthusiasm for the democratic process that has taken root here," he said.

He went on to praise what he called the "maturity, security and tolerance [that] is the 'Timorese way' of participating in elections."

The voting process was monitored by some 2,000 local and international observers deployed at polling stations across the territory.

Election organizers say that so far they have received no complaints of irregularities.

Under East Timor's recently approved constitution, the president will have largely symbolic powers but the new leader is expected to play a crucial role in uniting the territory and helping heal the bitter wounds of the past.

Most East Timorese consider the result of Sunday's poll a foregone conclusion, with many observers focusing on the difficulties Gusmao will face as the country moves to full independence.

Independent East Timor will be one of the poorest countries in Asia, unemployment is close to 80 percent, there is no industry or foreign investment, and virtually no tourism.

In villages across the territory, life is a daily struggle to survive with no running water, sporadic electricity supplies and minimal medical care.