SOFIA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria's incumbent President Iliana Iotova is ahead of the other 26 candidates in the country's presidential elections on Sunday, but a runoff will be required to determine the winner, according to exit polls.
According to the exit poll by Alpha Research, Iotova is expected to have 35.3 percent of the valid votes, while the exit poll by Myara Sociology Agency showed that Iotova would get 35.2 percent.
The voter turnout was 22.3 percent and 21.2 percent, according to Alpha Research and Myara, respectively. The two exit polls were announced at the Bulgarian National TV.
To be elected, a candidate for president shall require more than half of the valid ballots, provided that more than half of all eligible voters have cast their ballots in the election. If none of the candidates win an outright majority, a second round vote shall be held within seven days between the two top candidates.
Iotova's opponent in the runoff will be the former Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov, who got 32.4 percent according to Alpha Research, and 32.2 percent according to Myara.
The official results will be released no later than Tuesday evening, and the runoff between the two top candidates is to be held next Sunday.
Bulgarian president is elected for a term of five years. Iotova's term will expire at the end of January 2027. ■