East Timoreses began the presidential election here on Monday.

The voters, numbered at 511,336, streamed to the 705 polling stations across the tiny nation, according to the country's electoral commission spokesman Martinho G. da Silva Gusmao.

Eight candidates are running for the presidency to replace the incumbent President Xanana Gusmao.

The incumbent Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta is widely believed to be one of the strongest nominees.

Gusmao, an ally of Horta, is not running for re-election but plans to seek the more powerful post of prime minister in separate parliamentary elections later this year.

Should all the candidates fail to get more than 50 percent of the votes, a second round of voting must be held on May 8, said the spokesman.

The spokesman said the new government is to be formed on September 11.

East Timor declared its independence in 2002 after 24 years under the Indonesian rule.

The presidential post of the tiny nation is largely ceremonial in a parliamentary government but many hope the winner will bring unity to the nation.