LA PAZ — Bolivians decisively repudiated the leftist party which has ruled the country for most of the past two decades in a first-round presidential election vote, likely paving the way for more market-friendly policies for its crisis-wracked economy.

Centrist senator Rodrigo Paz secured 32.18% of the vote, while Eduardo del Castillo of the Movement for Socialism, MAS, had just 3.16%, according to initial results released by the electoral tribunal on Sunday night.

Conservative former president Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga of the Alianza coalition was second with 26.94%, with over 92% of the ballots counted.

If no candidate obtains more than 40% of the vote with a 10-point lead, there will be a runoff on October 19. Full official results will be announced within seven days.

The result marked a

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