Former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo, candidate of the opposition Patriotic Alliance for Change, has won Sunday's Paraguayan presidential elections, preliminary electoral results show.

Reports from the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion said polling ended at 4 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) and preliminary results released by the electoral commission showed that Lugo won 40.7 percent of the vote.

Ruling Colorado Party candidate Blanca Ovelar won 30.7 percent of the vote while former army chief Lino Oviedo, candidate for the National Ethical Citizens' Union Party, garnered about 22 percent.

Ovelar has conceded defeat in Sunday's presidential election, marking the end of the party's 60-year reign in the South American nation.

Lugo's supporters gathered at the campaign headquarters to celebrate his victory, after preliminary results were announced.

"The bishop of the poor" said in a speech that he will promote social equality and improve the living standard of indigents.

The Organization of American States, which monitored the elections, said the polling process was smooth.

The winner will be sworn in on Aug. 15 for a five-year term, replacing current President Nicanor Duarte.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2008)