WELLINGTON, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's caretaker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has claimed Wednesday a close victory in the country's racially polarized elections.

    By the official count, Qarase's indigenous-dominated Soqosoqo Duavata Ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party had won 32 of the 71 parliamentary seats on Wednesday morning with 10 seats yet to be declared.

    The opposition Fiji Labor Party of former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry had 25 seats; two went to SDL-linked independents and one to a Labor ally.

    According to Fiji news service the Fijilive, Qarase said the SDL will have a working majority and will form the next government.

    He said his government was the first in Fiji's history to win two successive elections.

    The Caretaker PM said he would call a caucus meeting Thursday at which the MPs would decide on the choice of PM and he would forward the name to the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo for endorsement.

    Once he is endorsed, Qarase said he will look at offering Cabinet portfolios to the Fiji Labor Party as required under the Constitution.

    People voted strictly along racial lines, with indigenous Fijians heavily supporting the SDL and minority Indo-Fijians backing Labor. Enditem