Fretilin's Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres has topped the polls in East Timor's first presidential election since independence in 1999. He attracted 27.89 per cent or 112,666 votes.

His blog says that he "Will be president of all and by all". The photos at the top of the page attest to his role in the resistance movement, when East Timor was a colony of Indonesia.

The election was held on 9 April.

Early announcements in the Australian press predicted a win by high-profile independent Jose Ramos-Horta, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996. He attracted 21.81 per cent or 88,102 votes. This reporting reflects Ramos-Horta's recognition factor in Australia. He speaks fluent English and has been visible in his role of prime minister in the past. Most here would consider him a "good guy".

Because of the voting system used in East Timor, which requires the winner to get 51 per cent of the votes, the two men will face off in another poll on 8 May.