People have come in freedom without violence to vote today

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos Horta

The chief election commissioner, Carlos Valenzuela, said the poll, in which voters elected the constituent assembly which will become the country's first parliament, had been a success.

The election falls on the anniversary of the independence vote two years ago, which led to a killing spree by pro-Indonesian militias.

Peaceful poll: Voters felt confident enough to bring their children

During that period, Dili was a ghost town and people lived in fear; on Thursday parents brought their children to the polls.

Voters were choosing 88 members for a new assembly which will write the constitution and become the first parliament when East Timor becomes fully independent and the world's newest nation next year.

Some results from smaller constituencies could come through quite quickly but the official final result is not expected until 10 September.

UN monitors

The territory currently has an interim United Nations administration, which along with other election monitors, is working to make sure the poll is free and fair.

E Timor timeline

1600s - Portuguese invade 1749 - Timor split between Portuguese and Dutch Aug 1975 - Portugal begins withdrawal Nov 1975 - Fretilin declares independence after brief civil war Dec 1975 - Indonesia invades Aug 1999 - 78% vote for independence Sep 1999 - 1,000 killed and many flee as anti-independence militia go on the rampage Sep 1999 - Australian-led peacekeepers arrive

Mr Valenzuela congratulated staff at polling stations for doing an excellent job.

"The people of East Timor are following the procedures without major difficulties," he said.

A total of 425,000 East Timorese above the age of 17 were eligible to vote for any of 16 parties contesting seats in the constituency assembly.

Our correspondent in Dili, Richard Galpin, says the winning party will almost certainly be Fretilin, which led a guerrilla campaign for more than two decades against Indonesian rule.

Fretilin says it has given up its more radical policies, but there are some who believe it remains Marxist and authoritarian at heart.

Police presence

Despite predictions the political process could spark violence, our correspondent says the campaigning proved to be remarkably peaceful.

According to the police there were just 17 incidents of electoral offences reported.

East Timor vote

Voters will elect assembly members Assembly will draw up a constitution 16 parties running Vote for president next year

Even so, more than 2,500 police were mobilised for duty at the polling stations.

The former separatist guerrilla leader, Xanana Gusmao, is not standing in this election, but is strongly tipped to be East Timor's first president.

Last Saturday he ended months of speculation and announced he would stand for the post in the election expected early next year.

Informal results in this first poll are expected by about 5 September and official results five days later.