European Union election observers in Ethiopia are investigating complaints of irregularities in Sunday's vote, but say it was largely peaceful and calm.

The opposition has complained of electoral malpractice, but the EU said the turnout had been "encouraging".

The BBC's Will Ross in Addis Ababa says the ruling party of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is expected to win.

The parliamentary poll is seen as a test for the country after the 2005 disputed election led to violence.
'Massive'

"I do not know what the final turnout will be but it was very high. I think this in itself is encouraging," the chief EU observer Thijs Berman said

"The Ethiopian citizens have expressed their vote in a democratic, calm and peaceful way and massively," he said.
Continue reading the main story map Ethiopia tackles election ghosts Profile: Meles Zenawi

Mr Berman said technical errors had been reported and complaints received from political parties and candidates.

"We do not know at this stage yet what the extent of these irregularities can be, and how serious they are. We are busy evaluating this," he said.

Our correspondent says that after almost two decades in office, Mr Meles and his Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) are confident of victory.

The opposition may be citing irregularities but it knows it had little chance against the might of the ruling party machine, he says.

Five years ago, Mr Meles had a shock as an opposition coalition came close to winning the election.

Protests against the result led to almost 200 opposition supporters being shot dead in the streets and opposition leaders were detained.

This time, there will be much debate as to whether the ruling party's certain victory is down to impressive efforts at developing the country or state harassment of the opposition, our reporter says.

There were thousands of local observers spread out across the country although some in the opposition do not see them as neutral.

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