BRATISLAVA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Independent mayoral candidates dominated Saturday's local elections in Slovakia, as they were elected in 1,232 towns and villages, representing 42.42 percent of the total, an official revealed on Sunday.
The local elections were held in 2,919 towns and villages across Slovakia. The voter turnout stood at 48.67 percent.
"Given the fact that these were local elections, we can say that the turnout was good," said State Electoral Commission chairman Eduard Barany.
Candidates with the governing Smer-SD party succeeded in 592 towns and villages (20.38 percent) followed by the Slovak National Party (SNS) with 160 mayors (5.5 percent) and the Christian Democrats (KDH) with 157 mayors (5.4 percent).
The Most-Hid party gained 127 mayors (4.37 percent). The ethnic-Hungarian SMK party obtained more than 100 mayoral posts.
The biggest Slovak cities, Bratislava and Kosice, will be run by independent and young politicians -- 41-year-old architect Matus Vallo and 42-year-old Jaroslav Polacek, respectively.
According to political analyst Darina Malova, the change occurred in most Slovak towns, and the success of younger candidates in particular was of great importance.
"We're bearing witness to a generational changing of the guard," claimed Malova.
The results of local elections showed that Slovak people desire change, said Slovak President Andrej Kiska on Sunday.
"The desire to change Slovakia into a cultured country is enormous. People rejected the politics of seditious campaigns, negative campaigns, anonymity and slander," said Kiska.
