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Ivanov leads Macedonia elections Ivanov wins Macedonia elections
(about 3 hours later)
Conservative Gjorgje Ivanov has taken a strong lead in a presidential run-off in the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, officials say. Conservative Gjorgje Ivanov has won a presidential run-off in the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia.
With over 55% of ballots counted, he had almost double the votes of Social Democrat rival Ljubomir Frckoski. With 80% of ballots counted, he had secured almost two-thirds of the vote over his Social Democrat rival Ljubomir Frckoski, who has conceded.
President Branko Crvenkovski is not seeking a second term. Some 1.8m people were eligible to vote in the election. Turn-out was put at about 42%, just over the 40% threshold needed for the polls to be valid.
The vote is considered to be important in helping to move the country towards European Union and Nato membership. President Branko Crvenkovski was not seeking a second term. Some 1.8m people were eligible to vote in the election.
Both organisations have said progress towards membership will depend on Sunday's election meeting international standards. Voting passed peacefully, despite fears of violence which could have harmed the small, south-east European country's ambitions to join the European Union and Nato.
A parliamentary vote last year was marred by violence, with one person being shot dead and several others wounded in an ethnic Albanian area.A parliamentary vote last year was marred by violence, with one person being shot dead and several others wounded in an ethnic Albanian area.
Low turn-out 'First task'
Hundreds of extra police officers were drafted in to ensure the vote passed off peacefully. The president serves a five-year term in a role that is largely ceremonial.
In a first round of voting praised by the EU for its lack of violence, Mr Ivanov polled the most votes, but not enough for a victory. In a first round of voting, Mr Ivanov polled the most votes, but not enough for a victory.
With more than half of the run-off votes counted, he was leading by 206,717 votes to Mr Frckoski's 105,655, the election commission said. Acknowledging his run-off win, he said improving ties with Greece would be a priority.
Turn-out was put at 40.24%, just passing the 40% threshold needed for the polls to be valid.
Whoever is elected will hold the largely ceremonial post for a five-year term.
It is hoped the new president will help Macedonia resolve a long-running dispute with Greece over the country's name which has blocked its entry to Nato, correspondents say.
Last year, Greece said it would block Macedonia from joining Nato and the EU unless it compromised over its official name. Macedonia is also the name of a northern region of Greece.Last year, Greece said it would block Macedonia from joining Nato and the EU unless it compromised over its official name. Macedonia is also the name of a northern region of Greece.
In December 2008, Macedonia decided to take the issue of its name to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.In December 2008, Macedonia decided to take the issue of its name to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
"Our first task will be to resolve the name issue with our southern neighbour Greece," Mr Ivanov told Reuters news agency. "I am sure we can find common interest and compromise."