May 26, 2019 UPDATE 3
Romanians in the country and abroad go to the polls in large numbers
Lica Manolache, 26.05.2019, 19:12
Hundreds of Romanians abroad continue to stand in long queues to cast their ballot in the big European cities, a situation comparable to the one of the 2014 presidential elections. By 6 p.m. more than 230,000 Romanians voted at the polling stations opened abroad. Several political parties and President Klaus Iohannis have asked for the extension of the closing time for polling stations abroad, set for 9 p.m.
In Romania, the voter turnout rate in the European elections stood at 39.02% at 6 p.m., while in the referendum called by President Klaus Iohannis it stood at 32.16%, according to data provided by the Central Election Bureau. Figures show that the referendum has the necessary number of votes required for its validation. The law also stipulates that the number of valid votes should account for at least 25% of the electorate.
The Romanian counties with the highest voter turnout rate in the European elections are Ilfov — 48.07%, Cluj — 47.54% and Sibiu — 44.69%. The lowest turnout rate was reported in Vaslui — 28.26%, Ialomita — 32.03% and Botosani — 32.83%. The highest number of voters who cast their ballot in the referendum was reported in the counties of Cluj — 43,59, Ilfov – 42,41% and Sibiu — 41,78%. (Translated by Elena Enache)
