Post by Jaga on Nov 30, 2008 10:38:15 GMT -7
BUCHAREST (AFP) – Romanians trickled to the polls Sunday to elect a new parliament, as the leftist Social Democrats and right-wing Liberal Democrats battled it out ahead of Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu's Liberals.
Voter turnout at 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) was 19.84 percent, according to preliminary figures, compared to 27.18 percent at that same stage in 2004 and 27.25 percent in 2000.
Polling stations were to close at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT), with exit polls expected shortly thereafter. Preliminary results should be published by the central electoral bureau Monday morning.
The vote comes at a critical time for Romania -- one of the newest ex-communist members of the European Union -- as it battles the fallout from a global economic downturn.
Political observers expected a low turnout, with the 18 million eligible voters growing disillusioned about politics. Moreover, the election also comes on the eve of a national holiday and in the middle of a long weekend.
Opinion polls forecast that turnout would not surpass 45 percent.
"It's a pity that a lot of youngsters have left Bucharest and I hope they will be back this evening in time to use their right to vote, which was fought for hard in December 1989," Liberal Democrat vice-president and prime ministerial candidate Theodor Stolojan said after casting his ballot.
news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081130/wl_afp/romaniavote
Voter turnout at 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) was 19.84 percent, according to preliminary figures, compared to 27.18 percent at that same stage in 2004 and 27.25 percent in 2000.
Polling stations were to close at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT), with exit polls expected shortly thereafter. Preliminary results should be published by the central electoral bureau Monday morning.
The vote comes at a critical time for Romania -- one of the newest ex-communist members of the European Union -- as it battles the fallout from a global economic downturn.
Political observers expected a low turnout, with the 18 million eligible voters growing disillusioned about politics. Moreover, the election also comes on the eve of a national holiday and in the middle of a long weekend.
Opinion polls forecast that turnout would not surpass 45 percent.
"It's a pity that a lot of youngsters have left Bucharest and I hope they will be back this evening in time to use their right to vote, which was fought for hard in December 1989," Liberal Democrat vice-president and prime ministerial candidate Theodor Stolojan said after casting his ballot.
news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081130/wl_afp/romaniavote