At least nine people have been killed in Colombia during the first hours of voting in elections to replace President Ernesto Samper who is barred by the Constitution from standing again.

There have been three bombs explosions and fighting between left-wing rebel groups and security forces has broken out in isolated areas in the north of the country.

Rebels have kidnapped at least fourteen election officials and have burnt ballot papers.

The head of the country's armed forces said the situation was near-normal compared to past elections.

A BBC correspondent in Bogota says the authorities are predicting a higher turn-out than last time -- when two voters in three abstained.