Moscow (CNN) Ukrainian presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelensky took the lead in the first round of national elections, according to preliminary results released by the country's Central Election Commission Monday.

With over 90% of the result of Sunday's vote tallied, Zelensky, a television comedian and political newcomer who is widely seen as a protest candidate that appeals to younger voters, has 30.3% of the votes cast.

"I would like to say 'thank you' to all the Ukrainians who did not vote just for fun," he said in an appearance posted online by US-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Sunday.

Zelensky will be hoping that life imitates art as he stars in "Servant of the People" -- a Ukrainian television series now carried on Netflix -- as a down-and-out schoolteacher who unexpectedly becomes President of Ukraine

If he does not pass a 50% threshold to win the vote outright, Zelensky faces a second-round runoff on April 21, possibly against incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, who came in second place with 16% of the vote. Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko won 13.4%, according to the preliminary results.

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