Exit poll has Cyprus presidential race in runoff, with Anastasiades leading

A presidential election exit poll by Cyprus's state broadcaster shows incumbent President Nicos Anastasiades facing a runoff with independent candidate Stavros Malas, who's backed by the communist AKEL party.

The exit poll released by broadcaster RIK when voting ended on Sunday showed Anastasiades leading with 38 percent to 42 percent of the vote, followed by Malas with 27-31 percent.

Nicholas Papadopoulos, leader of the center-right DIKO party and son of Cyprus's late President Tassos Papadopoulos, trailed in third place with 21.5 percent to 24.5 percent.

Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. [AP]