Sofia:Bulgaria's incumbent President Iliana Yotova has narrowly led the first round of the presidential election, with nearly all polling station results processed, according to preliminary figures released Monday.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Yotova and her vice-presidential running mate Kiril Valchev received 34.759% of the vote. They were ahead of former Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov and his running mate Georgi Kandev, who secured 31.953%, as reported by the Central Election Commission.

The figures accounted for 99.95% of polling station protocols from Sunday's election. Additionally, 4.4% of voters opted for the 'I do not support any candidate' option. As no candidate secured more than half of the vote, the two leading tickets will compete in a runoff on November 1. Voter turnout was approximately 22%, according to public broadcaster Bulgarian National Radio.

This election is Bulgaria's eighth presidential vote since 1992. Participation was notably highest in the capital, Sofia, and lowest in Kardzhali province, which has a significant ethnic Turkish population. The Central Election Commission is expected to announce the final first-round results on Tuesday.