Mexico City ? Mexico’s ruling National Action Party gave former Energy Secretary Felipe Calderon a surprise victory Sunday in the first round of its three-part presidential primary.

Three former secretaries from President Vicente Fox’s Cabinet are vying for the nomination. Fox is prohibited by law from seeking a second term in the July 2006 election.

With nearly all ballots counted, Calderon received 46 percent of the vote, according to the National Action Party, or PAN.

Former Interior Minister Santiago Creel had 35 percent, and former Environment Secretary Alberto Cardenas received about 19 percent.

Creel had led preferences among party members for months. But Calderon has steadily gained in polls and performed well in a nationally televised debate last week.

Members of the center-right PAN from 10 Mexican states took part in Sunday’s vote. The second vote is Oct. 2, and the third Oct. 23.

If no candidate obtains 50 percent plus one vote in the first phase, a second round will be held Nov. 6 between the top two contenders.

The winner will likely face former Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party, the winner of the PRI primary, and a few other candidates from smaller parties.