For tens of thousands of East Timorese who fled their homes last year when the tiny nation descended into chaos, the main hope from today?s presidential election is that it will allow them to go home.

Outgoing President Xanana Gusmao has said East Timor?s presidential poll is a chance to show his young nation is not a failed state. But the shadow of violence remains. Supporters of rival candidates clashed during campaigning last week, injuring more than 30 people and prompting international troops to fire tear gas and warning shots.

?I want to return home, but I?m still afraid,? said Sofia Rofinus, a 38-year-old former teacher, who has lived in a tent with her five-year old daughter and husband.

About 150 000 people were driven from their homes last year during violence that erupted after the government sacked 600 rebellious soldiers. Foreign troops were brought in to restore calm after dozens were killed. Eight candidates are running in the election, including interim Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, a Nobel peace prize winner who spearheaded an overseas campaign for independence from Indonesia. President Gusmao, an ally of Ramos-Horta, is not running for re-election but plans to seek the more hands-on post of prime minister in separate parliamentary elections later this year. ?We are ready for the elections,? said Gusmao in Dili, which was calm yesterday as many went to Easter mass in the predominantly Catholic nation.

More than 30 000 people live in several camps throughout the city. ?The government said if we still refuse to return, they won?t give us food,? Rofinus said. ?But we?re not asking for food. We want security.?

Ahmad PATHONI