La paz: Preliminary results indicate that Bolivia’s presidential election is set for a runoff, as no candidate managed to secure the required majority in the initial round, election authorities announced after tallying approximately 90 percent of the votes.

According to Emirates News Agency, after almost two decades under left-wing administrations, Bolivia appears poised for a political shift. The forthcoming runoff, scheduled for 19th October, will feature a contest between Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira of the centrist Christian Democratic Party and former president Jorge Quiroga, who served from 2001 to 2002, representing the right-wing Freedom and Democracy Party.

With over 91 percent of the votes counted on Sunday, Paz garnered 32.8 percent of the popular vote, while Quiroga obtained 26.4 percent. To avoid a runoff, candidates needed to achieve either over 50 percent of the votes or 40 percent with a 10-point lead over the nearest contender.

Approximately 8 million citizens participated in Sunday’s election to choose a new president, vice president, and members of parliament. The victor is expected to assume the presidency for a five-year term starting in November.