Counting begins after key Philippines poll

In this story: Relatively peaceful Arroyo, Estrada cast ballots RELATED STORIES, SITES

By staff and wire reports

MANILA, Philippines -- Counting is now underway in the Philippines, where voters have finished casting their ballots in local and congressional elections.

Camps allied to both President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and former leader Joseph Estrada are claiming victory in Monday's polls, which are widely considered a test of support for Arroyo's government.

ELECTION WATCH Philippines legislative elections   IN-DEPTH Estrada: The downfall of a president   •  Timeline: Key events   •  Profile: Joseph Estrada   •  Audio: 'It's all a conspiracy'   •  Message board    CNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition

The government watchdog Commission on Elections, and by the private National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) are expected to begin tabulating results on Monday night, although final results are not expected for some time.

Much of the focus of Monday's election is on the race for 13 of 24 seats in the Senate.

Arroyo and her ruling People Power Coalition need a strong showing to give her credibility a boost, since she assumed power in the wake of massive demonstrations against Estrada in January.

If more Estrada supporters get into the Senate, it will further complicate Arroyo's already difficult task of governing with the support of the coalition that brought her to power.

Relatively peaceful

At least 67 people have been killed in campaign and election violence since January, but Namfrel told CNN that Monday's polls were relatively peaceful, although it wasn't problem-free.

Some people's names were not on voter lists, some polling stations ran out of ballots while others reportedly ran short on indelible ink used to prevent repeat voting. At least one man was arrested for voting twice.

"So far, by and large, compared to past elections, today's elections were generally okay," Alfredo Benipayo, COMELEC chairman said an hour before balloting ended.

"We would like to congratulate the (election officials), the armed forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, for making sure that these were relatively peaceful and orderly elections," presidential spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said.

"We have to congratulate ourselves (that) given all political volatility in the past several months we were able to conduct the first election in the new millennium," Tiglao said.

An estimated 36.5 million Filipinos voted in Monday's ballot.

Namfrel told CNN that it expects to be able to wrap its "Operation Quick Count" of election results in between nine and 10 days. Official results may not be available for several weeks.

Arroyo, Estrada cast ballots

Polling began at 7 a.m., but Arroyo did not emerge to cast her ballot until late morning in her home region of Pampanga.

She took the opportunity to call on Filipinos to keep the elections peaceful and to vote according to their consciences.

Estrada was allowed to vote at the hospital where he is now being held

"We need to guard the ballots," Arroyo said. "I'm hoping for a peaceful election process. I'm hoping the armed forces and the police will stay professional in their duties."

Estrada voted at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, where he is now undergoing medical tests.

He and his son, Jose "Jinggoy" were brought there Saturday after they complained of various illnesses.

The country's anti-graft court had allowed both men to vote in their home district of San Juan in Manila, but rescinded the order after the police appealed this decision.

Police officials said the ex-president's return to his bailwick could have posed a security problem.

Estrada and his son are expected to remain at the Manila hospital for some time.

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.

Philippine election key to credit rating
Philippines 'rebellion' decree lifting
Philippine police intensify protest crackdown
Philippine president: 'I'm in control'

Philippines House of Representatives
National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL)

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.