Security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades at crowds of angry opposition supporters in Togo yesterday, as vote counting got under way after a tense presidential vote in the West African nation.

　　Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo called the two main candidates for emergency talks aimed at defusing tensions and averting bloodshed, a Nigerian presidential spokesman said on condition of anonymity.

　　Ruling party candidate Faure Gnassingbe and opposition rival Bob Akitani, were expected in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, late yesterday, the official said. Officials in Togo could not be reached to confirm the trip.

　　In Lome, electoral commission Chairman Kissem Tchagai Walla said on state television that partial results would be released in 48 hours. Private radio and television stations have not released any results following a media ban on April 19.

　　Late on Sunday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed "once again for calm" as results were counted, his spokesman said.

　　Gnassingbe - son of the late dictator Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled Togo for 38 years - reiterated after the poll his vows to restore security, unite the divided country and install a government of national unity if elected.

　　His rivals in Sunday's election were Harry Olympio and opposition front-runner Akitani, who went into hiding after unidentified men stormed his office, tied up three staff members at gunpoint and stole computers, according to his spokesman and lawyer, Homawoo Atsu.

　　After Eyadema died on February 5 of a heart attack, the army named Gnassingbe president in what many saw as a military coup. International pressure forced Gnassingbe to step down and promise elections amid opposition protests that descended into deadly violence. More violence shadowed the campaign and there were fears it could erupt again, whatever the outcome of the vote.

　　The succession chaos hit the impoverished country of 5 million battered and divided after 38 years of Eyadema's oppressive rule. Officials said voter turnout appeared higher than in past elections.

　　(The Associated Press)