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Dominican Republic's Danilo Medina claims election victory Dominican Republic's Danilo Medina claims election victory
(about 20 hours later)
The Dominican Republic's President Danilo Medina has claimed victory in Sunday's election as partial results show him ahead by a wide margin.The Dominican Republic's President Danilo Medina has claimed victory in Sunday's election as partial results show him ahead by a wide margin.
At a rally for supporters he said the people had voted to "continue on the path that we started". With 67% of votes counted, Mr Medina had 62%, well ahead of his rival Luis Abinader on 35%.
With 67% of polling stations counted, Mr Medina had 62%, well ahead of his rival Luis Abinader on 35%. Mr Abinader admitted defeat but accused the president of misusing state resources to win re-election.
Mr Medina needs more than 50% to avoid a run-off. Final results are expected on Tuesday. Mr Medina's Dominican Revolutionary Party also looked to have kept control of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies.
At a rally for supporters, President Medina said the people had voted to "continue on the path that we started".
"We have received the support of the majority of the Dominican people," Mr Medina told cheering supporters at his campaign headquarters in the capital Santo Domingo."We have received the support of the majority of the Dominican people," Mr Medina told cheering supporters at his campaign headquarters in the capital Santo Domingo.
Mr Abinader has not yet conceded and said he would make his first comments on Tuesday. Dominican Republic elections: Key issues
Voting on Sunday was extended for an extra hour after delays caused by technical problems at some polling stations. Mr Abinader, addressing his supporters, listed a series of alleged abuses.
Electoral rules were changed recently to allow the president to run for a second consecutive term. He accused Mr Medina's party of paying people not to vote to reduce the opposition and said the governing party had swayed the electorate by being able to grant or remove public-sector jobs.
"You should be aware that there were many Dominicans who did not vote for you," he said in a remark aimed at Mr Medina.
Profile: Danilo MedinaProfile: Danilo Medina
Mr Medina's Democratic Liberation Party has been in power for 12 years and the economy has been booming, largely thanks to tourism. Electoral rules were changed to allow the president to run for a second consecutive term.
But around 40% of the nation's 10 million people are estimated to live in poverty and the unemployment rate is about 14%, according to government figures. Voting on Sunday was extended for an extra hour after delays caused by technical problems at some polling stations.
The Democratic Liberation Party has been in power for 12 years and the economy has been booming, largely thanks to tourism.
But about 40% of the nation's 10 million people are estimated to live in poverty and the unemployment rate is about 14%, according to government figures.
Mr Abinader, a wealthy businessman of Lebanese ancestry, has blamed Mr Medina for government corruption and the country's high crime rate.Mr Abinader, a wealthy businessman of Lebanese ancestry, has blamed Mr Medina for government corruption and the country's high crime rate.
"Compared with the rest of Latin America, the attempts to reduce poverty have been the least effective," Pedro Silverio, an economist at the Pontificate Catholic University Madre Maestra in the Dominican Republic, told the BBC.
Mr Medina, a left-of-centre economist, has overseen the repatriation of tens of thousands of people with roots in neighbouring Haiti.Mr Medina, a left-of-centre economist, has overseen the repatriation of tens of thousands of people with roots in neighbouring Haiti.
The policy has popular support but has been condemned by human rights groups.The policy has popular support but has been condemned by human rights groups.
Also up for election are senators, lower house deputies and local officials from 26 different parties.