The vote was officially declared valid, head of the republic’s Central Election Commission, Batal Tabagua, said shortly after the polling stations closed on 8 p.m. local time.
Tabagua did not comment on the election’s outcome, saying only that some districts may have to hold a repeat vote in May. He did not elaborate. The authorities are expected to announce the election’s results on Sunday.
Turnout in the republic of 240,000 stood at 37 percent two hours before the vote’s end, well above the minimal limit of 25 percent needed for the vote to be valid.