Bolivia's former President and major presidential challenger Jorge Quiroga conceded defeat on Sunday and congratulated front-runner Evo Morales after exit polls showed Morales has gained 51 percent of the votes.

"I congratulate Evo Morales and (running mate) Alvaro Garcia Lineras for their electoral showing," Quiroga said after exit polls showed that votes for Morales have exceeded the 50-percent line for victory.

Evo Morales, 46, is the presidential candidate for the left-wing Socialist Movement. Once elected, he will be the country's first Indian president.

Morales has said if he could win the race, he would "work democratically to change things, based on elections and on the conscience of the people."

Sunday's general election will choose deputies for all of the 130 seats in the lower house and 27 seats in the upper house. Voters will also choose a vice president and nine governors.

Source: Xinhua