Ohio leaves networks hanging

Some TV networks have already projected a Republican win in Ohio - effectively calling an overall win for George Bush - but others remain cautious.

The midwestern state, worth 20 electoral votes, is a must-win for both Bush and his opponent, Senator John Kerry.

With all Ohio precincts reporting their results, Bush currently holds a lead of around 140,000 votes; however some dispute over the number of uncounted overseas votes has thusfar prevented a win from being a complete certainty.

That didn't stop the FOX News Channel from calling a Bush win in Ohio at 5.40am UK, a time when over a hundred thousand votes from precincts were still pending. NBC followed suit shortly afterwards.

Other networks, including the BBC, CNN, ABC and CBS held back for more information to become available.

The decision of FOX - who claimed to have the most effective calling system in the election - put Bush at 269 electoral votes, just one away from victory. The controversy over Ohio means that the network, along with NBC, has had to hold back on calling a subsequent win for Bush in Nevada: doing so would, by their projections, confirm Bush as President.