The people of Paraguay go to the polls on Sunday for elections that could end 61 years of domination by one party.

The Colorado Party has been in power since 1947, the longest-serving party in continuous rule in the world.

The outgoing president, Nicanor Duarte, has accused Venezuela of trying to meddle in the elections - a charge denied by President Hugo Chavez.

The main contenders for the presidency include Colorado's candidate, a former bishop and a retired general.

Observers say the Colorado Fresh chaos for US air passengers ...
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US economy fears hit Asian shares ... Party is facing a serious electoral challenge for the first time during their time in power, which has included the long dictatorship of General Alfredo Stroessner.

Leftist claims

The main challenger is former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo, who brought together leftist unions, indigenous people and poor farmers into a coalition to form the centre-left Patriotic Alliance for Change.

He rejects accusations from outgoing President Duarte that he would follow the style of leftist leaders in Bolivia and Venezuela if elected.

President Duarte warned that what he called agitators from Venezuela and Ecuador were trying to meddle in the poll.

"My hope is that there are not going to be any clashes and there are not going to be any episodes that might compromise the peaceful living among people and the future of the nation," he said.

Poverty

The Colorado Party has for the first time chosen a woman candidate, Blanca Ovelar, who has promised to bring a woman's sensibility to a "clearly macho country".

A third key contender is former army chief Lino Oviedo, who was recently freed from a 10-year prison sentence and exonerated of coup-plotting charges.

Poverty remains widespread in Paraguay, particularly in the rural areas. The economy has been driven by huge hydroelectric schemes and the world's increasing demand for soya.

The BBC's Latin American analyst, James Painter, says the authoritarian culture of Gen Stroessner remains and most Paraguayans will be hoping for a less authoritarian system, whoever wins.

(BBC)

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