Man sells newspaper with front page headline that reads in Spanish 'Let's vote,' in Santo Domingo, 15 May 2008

Voters in the Dominican Republic are casting ballots Friday in a presidential election widely expected to deliver a third term to incumbent President Leonel Fernandez.

Recent opinion polls show Mr. Fernandez leads his six rivals, but he needs at least 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff.

The campaign has been marked by violence. Three people - including a former lawmaker - were killed Wednesday in a clash between supporters of Mr. Fernandez and his closest rival, Miguel Vargas of the Dominican Revolutionary Party.

Local media reported four people were injured late Thursday in an incident between government and Dominican Revolutionary Party supporters.

Mr. Fernandez served as president from 1996 to 2000, and was elected again in 2004.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, and Reuters.