Votes counted in Cambodia poll

People were eager to take part in the election

Counting is under way after Cambodia's landmark parliamentary elections passed off peacefully despite violence in the run-up to the polls.

Analysts tip the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) to keep its position as the largest force in Cambodian politics, but they expect a tough battle for second place.

The royalist party Funcinpec and the main opposition Sam Rainsy party are hoping a mood of dissatisfaction with the present government will help them increase their support.

The BBC's Jill McGivering, in Phnom Penh, said almost everyone seemed keen to vote in the election seen as crucial for Cambodia's fledgling democracy.

Polling closed at 3pm on Sunday (0800 GMT), with international observers sealing ballot boxes ready for Monday's count.

Trends are likely to become clear late on Monday.

However, official results will not be announced until 8 August due to the problems of retrieving ballot-boxes - in some cases by elephant - from remote jungle outposts.

CAMBODIA'S ELECTION 23 political parties competing for 123 seats in the National Assembly 3 main contenders: the Cambodian People's Party, Funcinpec and the Sam Rainsy Party 6.3 m people, half the population, are registered to vote Official results will not be announced until 8 August Election guide

Mr Rainsy expressed fears that CPP activists might try to tamper with ballot boxes on Sunday night.

"Tonight can be a long night," he said.

Human rights groups say there has been greater debate and less violence than in previous campaigns, but that a climate of fear persisted into election day.

As Cambodians began voting on Sunday, a booby-trapped grenade exploded outside the headquarters of the Funcinpec party. No-one was injured.

A second grenade was discovered outside the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh before it could explode, officials said.

Monitoring groups said 17 people were killed in election-related violence in the last four weeks of campaigning.

'Young hold key'

One of the first to vote was Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is expected to retain his tight grip on power because of firm grassroots support for his party.

Most village leaders are loyal to CPP, our correspondent says, and with many villagers living below the poverty line there is a widespread belief that a good relationship with the authorities will help them to get development money.

Support for the opposition is harder to judge, partly because many people still seem frightened about criticising the government in public for fear of reprisals, our correspondent adds.

A third of the electorate is under 25 and their attitudes to the government could prove crucial.

Many young people in urban areas seemed enthusiastic about democracy and the idea of political change.

There was a festive feel on the eve of the election as people streamed out of the capital in cars and buses to return to their towns and villages to vote.

For many, it was a chance for a reunion with family and friends.

Thousands of election observers, local and foreign, monitored some 16,000 polling stations to check for signs of coercion and to make sure voting was secret.

The period of greatest tension may come after the counting, when opposition parties react to results and the complex process of political bargaining begins.