Dominican leader wins re-election - exit poll

SANTO DOMINGO, May 16 (Reuters) - President Leonel Fernandez appears to have won Friday's election in the Dominican Republic, likely able to avoid a runoff as he sweeps into office for a third term, according to an exit poll.

The survey by the U.S.-based Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates polling agency showed Fernandez poised to garner at least 56 percent of the votes, the majority he needs to avoid a runoff on June 30. (Reporting by Tom Brown; editing by Michael Christie)