Dominican president Fernandez wins election

Santo Domingo: Dominican President Leonel Fernandez won for a third term on Friday, getting more than enough votes to avoid a run-off.

The central elections board gave Fernandez 53 per cent of the vote, while his rival, Miguel Vargas Maldonado was at 41 per cent.

Maldonado conceded defeat. "I accept and recognise the results of the elections," he said on Saturday.

Fernandez has been president since 1996.