The UN's special representative to East Timor, Jamsheed Marker, paid tribute to East Timorese who had exercised their democratic right in the face of violence and threats.

Most of the voting was reported to have been trouble-free, but the UN mission in East Timor (Unamet) has confirmed that a local member of staff, Joel Lopez Gomes, was stabbed to death by an unidentified mob.

The BBC's Matt Frei: "People who've been told what to do for centuries, were for the first time being asked what they want"

The attack took place in Ermera district, near the provincial capital Dili, and was the first casualty Unamet has suffered since its personnel arrived in East Timor.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Bishop of Dili Carlos Belo condemned the attack saying it showed "the desperation of people who will lose."

A number of other less serious incidents forced the temporary closures of seven out of 200 polling stations, but Unamet spokesman David Wimhurst said there would be no need for a second day of voting.

Democratic rights

The BBC's Simon Ingram: "The UN is claiming a triumph"

Mr Wimhurst said turnout may have been as high as 95%.

More than 451,000 voters, including 13,000 East Timorese living abroad, registered for the ballot.

Even in areas that had experienced some of the worst violence and intimidation by pro-Indonesian militias, the turnout was remarkably high with queues to vote beginning before dawn.

Voters were asked to choose between staying part of Indonesia with a high degree of autonomy and going it alone as a fully independent state.

There had been fears that the poll would be undermined by the kind of violence that characterised the run-up to the vote.

Festival atmosphere

But in the end correspondents say the determination of the East Timorese people shone through and, at many locations, polling was conducted in a festival atmosphere.

UN officials proved to voters ballot boxes had not been tampered with

Many voters walked for hours to reach the polling stations, telling reporters they were determined to have their say on the future of East Timor.

"I am very happy, but scared," said one man. "This is a proud day for East Timor. We have waited a long time for this day."

"I was born here and I'm going to stay here, no matter what," said another voter.

At each polling station, before voting began, officials displayed the empty ballot boxes to prove to voters and observers that the poll would be fair.

Praise for Habibie

The result is expected within a week and is expected to be overwhelmingly in favour of independence.

The exiled Timorese resistance leader, Jose Ramos Horta, who voted in Australia, said taking part was a very emotional experience after the long years of Indonesian occupation.

Speaking in a BBC interview, he praised Indonesian President, BJ Habibie, as "a man of courage" for ordering the referendum and said he and other civilian ministers deserved more credit for resisting hardliners in the military.

Mr Ramos-Horta said the process was irreversible and all sides should accept the decision of the East Timorese people, whatever it may be, "with honour and with dignity.

Another prominent pro-independence leader, Xanana Gusmao, who is due to be released next week by the Indonesian authorities, was praised by Justice Minister Muladi for his integrity and understanding.

'Our destiny'

East Timorese still face an uncertain future

Voting in Jakarta, where he is being held under house arrest, Mr Gusmao said the referendum gave East Timorese the opportunity to decide "our destiny, our future, our freedom [and] our independence."

Mr Gusmao also received a pledge of co-operation from Eurico Guterres, who heads one of the pro-Jakarta militias.

Nonetheless the militias have proved themselves unpredictable and may yet refuse to accept the results of there referendum.