TAIPEI - Counting began Saturday in Taiwan's crunch presidential election, with opposition frontrunner Ma Ying-jeou and governing party chief Frank Hsieh expected to hear the official result within hours.

Analysts said voters were likely to focus on concern over the slowing pace of the economy as well as hopes of a rapprochement with China.

Turnout was brisk throughout the day and the electoral commission said it expected around 75 percent of the 17.3 million eligible voters to cast their ballots.

Polling stations closed at 4:00pm (0800 GMT) after opening at 8:00am.

People were also asked to vote on two simultaneous referendums on joining the United Nations. - AFP/vm