Argentines appeared certain to choose their first elected female president yesterday, with first lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner favoured to win by a wide margin over her closest rival, another woman.

Many Argentines credit Ms Fernandez's husband, centre-left President Nestor Kirchner, with pulling the country out of a deep 2001-02 economic crisis.

Pre-election polls showed Ms Fernandez, a powerful senator, leading 13 rivals and likely to take over from her husband in a highly unusual transfer of power between spouses.

Fernandez backers say the economy's turnaround - marked by millions of new jobs and moves by Kirchner to raise salaries and pensions - drove their voting choice.

"There are more jobs now. Things have calmed down. People aren't dying to leave the country," said Sergio Arrigoni, 41, a delivery truck driver recalling the hundreds of thousands of Argentines who fled the country at the height of the crisis.

Ms Fernandez has been Mr Kirchner's top advisor during his four-year presidency. Voters tired of boom-and-bust cycles hope she will sustain the bonanza he has overseen.

A 54-year-old lawyer, Ms Fernandez would avoid a run-off election by winning at least 45 per cent of the votes, or more than 40 per cent with a 10 percentage point lead over her nearest rival.

Her closest challenger is anti-corruption crusader and former lawmaker Elisa Carrio, who trails by 20 points.

Carlos Servini, a 38-year-old taxi driver who lives in one of the vast working class neighbourhoods outside the capital, said he was casting his vote for Ms Fernandez.