Presidential candidates: Mirlande Manigat (l) and Michel Martelly 

BBC

Haiti's delayed second-round presidential election has been largely peaceful despite isolated incidents that saw two people killed, reports the BBC.

UN observers and Haitian election officials said turnout appeared to be larger than the chaotic first round, which was marred by violence and fraud.

Voters had a choice between pop star Michel Martelly, and academic and former first lady Mirlande Manigat.

Counting has begun but final results are not expected until mid-April.

Haitian police chief, Mario Andresol said two people were shot dead in clashes between rival political factions in different rural areas.

The AFP news agency said the deaths were in the departments of Nord-Ouest and Artibonite.

Despite the two deaths, there was little violence compared to the first round of the election, in November last year.

The head of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), Gaillot Dorsinvil, said reports of irregularities at some polling stations would have "no impact on the electoral process as a whole".

Dorsinvil hailed what he described as a large turnout.

"In a democratic way the Haitian people fulfilled their obligation by voting massively and made their choice."

The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti, Minustah, also said the event was largely peaceful, with few problems.

"I've seen a lot of differences compared to November 28," said Minustah head Edmond Mulet. "Participation is greater."

After delays at some polling stations caused by missing voting materials, the CEP extended voting by one hour to 1700 (2200 GMT).

Some had feared that the return of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide from seven years in exile in South Africa would destabilise the vote.

After arriving in Haiti on Friday, he criticised the exclusion of his party, Fanmi Lavalas, from the elections, which are also for the country's legislature.

The two candidates for the presidency are markedly different: Mirlande Manigat is a 70-year-old academic and wife of a former president, while Michel Martelly, 50, is a singer and entertainer known to his fans as "Sweet Micky".

They emerged after recounts and challenges as the top two from November's chaotic first round, which was marred by violence and fraud.

Whoever wins will face a mammoth challenge.

Haitiis struggling to rebuild after the devastating January 2010 earthquake, with some 800,000 people still living in camps.