Lisbon - Mr Jorge Sampaio was re-elected president of Portugal yesterday with between 54 and 59 per cent of the vote, according to an exit poll broadcast by the state television channel RTP1.
If confirmed, the result would give Sampaio (61) outright victory and a second five-year term - his last permitted under the constitution.
His rivals, including rightwing candidate Mr Joaquim Ferreira do Amaral; Mr Antonio Abreu, communist; and far-left candidate Mr Fernando Rosas - hoped Mr Sampaio would get less than 50 per cent of the ballots, thus ensuring a second round run-off.
