11.   Government officials said voting will go on.

12.   However, election officials said voting picked up later in the day, there and elsewhere in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

13.   However, some officials in rural areas have reported long lines and said voting may have to be extended past the deadline in those areas.

14.   In first reports from rural areas where political violence has been especially rife, officials said voting was light as the polls opened.

15.   Ng Chaw Ming, editor of Life TV, said voting for the Most Popular award category started in February.

16.   Overall, elections officials said voting went smoothly.

17.   President Sali Berisha said voting had been free and fair.

18.   Reporters visiting polling stations said voting diminished to a trickle in most places.

19.   Some polling stations reported a heavy turnout while others said voting was light.

20.   But poll officials and government supporters said voting would pickup if there was no major violence.