Early official result showed the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) on track for its worst election defeat in a generation.

Centrist senator Rodrigo Paz was leading Bolivia's presidential election, according to early official results, which showed the ruling Movement for Socialism on track for its worst election defeat in a generation.

Bolivia is headed to a presidential run-off election between a center-right politician and a right-wing candidate after voters on Sunday rejected another term of the Movement for Socialism.

After a campaign overshadowed by economic troubles, Bolivians voted on Sunday for a new president and parliament in elections that could see a right-wing government elected for the first time in

A centrist and a center-right candidate made it through the first round of the country’s presidential election.

Early results showed Bolivia's centrist Rodrigo Paz in a surprise lead in Sunday's presidential race, with a likely second round needed against conservative former president Jorge Quiroga.View on euro

The election marks a significant political shift, following the worst electoral defeat for the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party in two decades. Paz led the initial round, and the outcome will now depend on which candidate can win over the supporters of eliminated rivals.

Bolivia’s charismatic, long-serving ex-President Evo Morales told The Associated Press on Saturday that he didn’t know what to do about threats by the right-wing presidential candidates to arrest him if they came to power.

Almost 8 million Bolivians are set to vote on August 17 for a new president, vice president and all legislative seats - 26 senators and 130 deputies.

Polls closed in Bolivia's most suspenseful general election in two decades on Sunday, in which the right is tipped to win power after nearly 20 years in opposition.Pre-election polls showed voters poised to swing right,