With more than 80 percent of ballots counted, Governing Party official Danilo Medina is claiming an early victory in the Dominican Republic presidential election.

Medina has 51 percent of the vote, followed by former president Hipolito Mejia with about 47 percent. Mejia is now promising to challenge the results, as many supporters complain about alleged vote buying and fraud.

Several polling sites were open in the borough Sunday for local Dominicans to weigh in. Officials say about 5 percent of registered voters live outside the country.