Thousands of expats unable to vote in Romania presidential elections
- 10 years ago
As Prime Minister Victor Ponta takes the lead in the first round of Romania’s presidential election, there is controversy over the voting.
With nearly all ballots counted, the leader of the Social Democrats had clinched over 40% of the vote, making him the firm favourite to win a second round run-off on November 16.
However, the election was shrouded in scandal as thousands of expatriots were unable to vote due to delays at polling stations.
Outside the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest protesters called for the minister’s resignation.
“It’s absolutely acceptable for Romanians abroad to be waiting since 1 o’clock and still not being able to vote,” said one of the demonstrators.
In Spain Romanians queued for hours before being turned away when the polling stations closed in the evening.
In Paris special troops had to intervene when people tried to force their way into the the embassy to vote.
While in London, more than 1,000 people were unable to cast their ballots.
With nearly all ballots counted, the leader of the Social Democrats had clinched over 40% of the vote, making him the firm favourite to win a second round run-off on November 16.
However, the election was shrouded in scandal as thousands of expatriots were unable to vote due to delays at polling stations.
Outside the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest protesters called for the minister’s resignation.
“It’s absolutely acceptable for Romanians abroad to be waiting since 1 o’clock and still not being able to vote,” said one of the demonstrators.
In Spain Romanians queued for hours before being turned away when the polling stations closed in the evening.
In Paris special troops had to intervene when people tried to force their way into the the embassy to vote.
While in London, more than 1,000 people were unable to cast their ballots.