Mexico's Enrique Pena Nieto 'wins' presidential poll

Mr Pena Nieto, 45, is on about 37%, several points ahead of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has not conceded.

Thousands of police were on duty for the vote, amid fears of intimidation from drug gangs.

Mexicans were also electing a new congress and some state governors.

Celebrations at the headquarters of the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) started after the polls closed.

Mr Pena Nieto declared: "We all won in this election. Mexico won."

"This is just the start of the work we have before us."

He thanked Mexican voters for giving the PRI a second chance, saying his administration would have a "new way of governing".

The election campaign was dominated by the economy and the war on drugs.

"There will be no pact nor truce with organised crime," Mr Pena Nieto said.

He had been presented as the new face of the PRI, a break with the party's long and at times murky past that included links with drug gangs.

The party held on to power for 71 years until it was defeated in 2000.

Mr Pena Nieto built his reputation on the "pledges" he set out for his governorship in Mexico state, focusing on public works and improvement of infrastructure.

Outgoing President Felipe Calderon has congratulated Mr Pena Nieto and promised to work with him during the transition to his inauguration in December.

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