SOFIA, Bulgaria

 Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party has received 38 percent of votes in Sunday’s local elections in Bulgaria, latest exit polls show.

In an election marred by a low-voter turnout, Bulgarian Socialist Party ranked second, receiving 18 percent of the votes, according to Alpha Research.

Movement for Rights and Freedoms, which comprises mostly Turks, gained 8.6 percent of the votes, the company said.

According to local media reports, less than 50 percent citizens participated in the polls to elect mayors and municipal councilors.

According to Sofia News Agency, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov congratulated his party GERB, coalition partners and the opposition over the results.