(VOVworld) – 32 million eligible Argentinean voters have cast their ballots at the primary elections to choose their candidates to compete in October’s general presidential elections to succeed President Cristina Kirchner.

Polls for Argentina's presidential primaries being held on August 9, 2015 show three candidates leading a field of 15 hopefuls: ruling center-left party's Daniel Scioli (L), conservative Mauricio Macri (R) and Sergio Massa  (Photo: AFP)

Polls show that Daniel Scioli of the ruling center-left party Front for Victory and the governor of Buenos Aires province took the lead, with 38 percent of supporting votes. He was followed by Mauricio Macri, former Mayor of  Buenos Aires province with 28 percent. Sergio Massa of the United for a New Alternative came third with 20 percent of votes. According to Argentina’s National Electoral Chamber, 92,000 police and troops were deployed to ensure security for the preliminary election. To win outright in October, a candidate needs 45 percent of votes cast or 40 percent with a 10-point margin over the second-place candidate.