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Donald Trump wins GOP caucuses in Nevada

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally at the South Point Hotel & Casino on February 22, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP photo)

US presidential candidate Donald Trump emerged victorious in Tuesday night’s Nevada caucuses, the fourth contest for the Republican Party’s nomination.

Several US media outlets called the race for the billionaire businessman as the caucus sites closed at 9 pm.

With less than 5 percent of precincts reporting, Trump was ahead with 42.92 percent of the vote, followed by Florida Senator Marco Rubio with 25.22 percent and Senator Ted Cruz with 20.4 percent.

The win could further bolster Trump’s position as the GOP front-runner.

Trump has already clinched two consecutive primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

The real estate magnate is ending the first month of the nominating process with about three quarters of the delegates awarded.

Trump speaks at a rally at the South Point Hotel & Casino on February 22, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP photo)

The Nevada caucuses descended into chaos late on Tuesday with widespread reports of irregularities, double-voting, disorganization and violations of caucus rules.

Vote-counting and voter registration mistakes were reported in multiple caucus sites, including allegations that volunteers did not check identifications when voters were signed in.

Disorganization also led to long lines at caucus sites across Nevada. There were also reports that candidates who have suspended their campaign for the presidential nomination were still listed on some ballots, and some sites had a shortage of ballots.

Compared with previous caucuses, turnout was reported high across the state.

In addition, some caucus volunteers, who are supposed to be neutral as they count the ballots, were found wearing attire featuring specific candidates.

However, the state GOP dismissed the reports, saying there have been "no official reports of voting irregularities or violations."

“Obviously we take reports of double-voting very seriously, and we will be reviewing ballots,” it said in a statement.

Nevada, with substantial Latino population, is crucial to the US election process.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the state on Saturday in the Democratic caucuses with 52 percent of the vote.

 

 

 

 


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