NAIROBI, Kenya (Reuters) -- From misty highlands to sweltering plains, millions of Kenyans voted Monday in a referendum on a new constitution that has stirred tribal divisions and shaped into a dress rehearsal for a 2007 election.Despite fears of more violence after eight deaths during the campaign, turnout looked steady, and police said there were no "ugly" incidents. Polling booths closed at 5 p.m. local time.Citing unofficial partial results, Private Nation Television said that with 104,049 votes counted the "No" lobby was ahead with 55 percent to 45 percent for the "Yes" camp led by President Mwai Kibaki. The Institute for Education in Democracy independent observer group reported a similar margin.Critics say the proposed constitution fails to curb the president's immense powers, a key issue in a country fractured by decades of so-called "Big Man" rule involving graft and tribalism.Supporters say the president would be more answerable to parliament. The charter also allows men and women to have an equal right to inherit property, bans abortion unless permitted by an act of parliament and prohibits same-sex marriages.Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said the poll had been free and fair.Kibaki, 74, who has staked his political prestige on the vote, said tensions seen during weeks of campaigning marked by rancor and name calling had eased."People had become too involved in dirty politics, but now they have calmed down," Kibaki said."Everything will be all right. People can go back now to their farms and their jobs," he added after voting.There were scattered reports of irregularities, including vote-buying and flawed voter lists. And in far-flung areas with nomadic populations, some polling stations stayed open late.Power struggle between president, foesOfficial results were due Tuesday.Although there were only several small opinion polls in the run-up to the referendum, they showed the "No" camp ahead.The vote on the complicated charter -- which would replace an existing text drawn up on the eve of independence from Britain in 1963 -- has boiled down to a power struggle between Kibaki and foes who say he has perpetuated corruption.The tussle between Kibaki's "Yes" camp and his opponents' "No" campaign has widened a Cabinet split and seen a realignment of forces as politicians eye the 2007 vote. The main opposition and a party from the ruling coalition backed the "No" vote.The vote also has caused a worrying deepening of communal tensions in the nation of 32 million, seen by Western allies as a linchpin of stability in turbulent East Africa.As mist swirled round Kibaki's highland hometown of Othaya, "Yes" voters there said he was right to change the charter."We need to change this old colonial constitution, which has been used to oppress us," said engineer Peter Mathenge, 32.In opposition leader Uhuru Kenyatta's hometown of Gatundu, also in highlands north of Nairobi, most were voting "No.""Uhuru has told us to vote 'No.' We will follow him even if he tells us to go to the wilderness," said Sam Kungu, a jobless 32-year-old.There were several reports of vote inducement -- a common practice in Kenya and across Africa at elections.One TV reporter said from Busia, west Kenya, that people in "Yes" T-shirts approached about 20 people with offers of 50 shillings ($0.67) to sway their choice.Copyright 2005 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.