Slovenia's President Borut Pahor has acknowledged that a runoff vote will be necessary after the first round of balloting in the country's presidential election.

Pahor was seeking re-election in the vote on Sunday. The initial vote count gives him the lead, but without the majority of votes needed to win a second term outright.

With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, Pahor had 47 percent. His main opponent, Marjan Sarec received around 25 percent.

Pahor says it appears a Nov. 12 runoff vote will be needed and he will "do my best to prove that I'm best choice. I'm glad for support that I got in first round."

Sarec is a former comedian who is the mayor of the northern town of Kamnik.

Slovenia's President Borut Pahor is leading in a preliminary presidential vote count, but is likely to face a runoff

With nearly 83 percent of the vote counted in Sunday's election, Pahor won 47 percent of the vote. His closest rival, Marjan Sarec, a former comedian who is mayor of the northern town of Kamnik, has 25 percent.