SOFIA (AFX) - Bulgarian President Georgy Parvanov led in today's election but low turnout shattered his hopes of avoiding a run-off with an ultra-nationalist challenger, first exit polls showed.
Exit polls from different agencies aired on national radio and television minutes after voting ended gave the Socialist incumbent 60-65.6 pct of the vote, ahead of his closest rival Volen Siderov, who had 19.6-22.2 pct.
Right-wing candidate Nedelcho Beronov trailed third with only 9.8-12 pct of the vote.
Average turnout at 6.00 pm (1500 GMT) ranged between 33.5 and 39 pct of Bulgaria's population of over seven million.
Turnout of below 50 pct of the population automatically forces Parvanov to confirm re-election in a second-round run-off with Siderov on Oct 29. newsdesk@afxnews.com afp/jlw COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2006. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited