The US Republicans started the roll call nomination process at its 2004 National Convention which opened on Monday morning, with the current President George W. Bush expected to be re-nominated.

The roll call is the Republicans' official nomination process. In the session on Monday morning, 21 delegations cast their votes, with 11 delegations voting during the evening session, and the process will continue through the next two days.

Bush is expected to be re-nominated at the quadrennial event to represent the party to face the challenge of Senator John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate, and to seek reelection in the Nov. 2 elections.

The four-day national convention was kicked off at the Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday amid massive protests and demonstrations around the convention center on the Manhattan Island.

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2004)