Mexico set to get first female president as deadly violence mars historic polls

At least five exit polls showed Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, winning the presidency, with pollster Parametria forecasting a landslide 56% of the vote for the ruling MORENA party candidate. Parametria forecast opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez taking 30% of the vote.

Provisional results are trickling in and show Sheinbaum leading with 59% of the vote, versus 29% for Galvez, with 5% of total votes counted. Galvez has not conceded and told her supporters to be patient for the official results.

Imminent victory for Sheinbaum is a major step for Mexico, a country known for its macho culture and home to the world's second biggest Roman Catholic population, which for years pushed more traditional values and roles for women.