Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) A pro-military party that wants junta leader Prayut Chan-o-cha to remain in power has taken a slight lead in Thailand's elections on Sunday, according to early results from the country's Election Commission, in what could be a blow to pro-democracy forces fighting to overcome authoritarian military rule. With 94% of the votes counted Sunday night, the pro-military Palang Pracharat Party inched ahead with 7.69 million votes, while the main opposition Pheu Thai Party, which is aligned with ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, receiving 7.2 million votes. Thaksin, or leaders connected to him, have previously won every election since 2001. Thailand's Election Commission said it would announce the final preliminary results on Monday, but stopped short of promising a final official tally, prompting criticism from many observers. When asked what the final results would be, the commission's Chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong said, "I don't have a calculator with me now."

Source: CNN March 25, 2019 03:59 UTC