FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Turnout in the second round of the Presidential elections in Romania is considered high, while the process is considered quite important for the country's future strategic direction in Europe.
The leading candidate, far-right populist George Simion, has cast doubt on the process, warning at a press conference that he is concerned about possible manipulation.
He said there were 1.8 million dead people on the electoral register, adding that he hoped they would not "rise from the dead and vote".
There were reports of long queues in the major cities of Cluj in the north and the capital Bucharest. As of 2pm local time (1pm CEST), 1.3 million more votes had been cast across the country in Sunday's second round than at the same time in the first round of the race two weeks ago, according to official data.
There was a significant increase in voter turnout among young people aged 18-34 living in Romania, by 32 percent, as well as among citizens living in other countries.
Polls close and the first exit polls will be published at 21:00 local time (20:00 CEST), although the final result may not be clear for several days if the result is contested.
The race for the Romanian presidency is seen as a critical moment for the country of 19 million people on the eastern edge of the European Union.
Simion, a staunch Trumpian nationalist who wants to unite Romania with neighboring Moldova and is banned in Ukraine, has been a fierce critic of the EU and aims to stop all aid to Kiev.
His rival, Nicușor Dan, the moderate and independent mayor of Bucharest, has pledged to eliminate corruption and play a more active role in EU affairs, while continuing to support Ukraine.
Lini një Përgjigje