Special measures for the election

This weekend Romanians will be electing their new representatives in Parliament

Roxana Vasile, 04.12.2020, 13:50

On Sunday,
December 6, Romanians will hit the polls to elect the Senators and Deputies who
will be representing them for the next four years. Special measures related to
the COVID-19 pandemic are already in place. According to the Permanent Election
Authority, some 18 million eligible voters are expected to cast their votes.
Some 740 thousand Romanians officially residing abroad are also expected to
vote. Of these, over 39 thousand have opted for postal voting, while nearly 4
thousand registered for physical voting in one of the polls opened abroad. In
Romania, the authorities have set up 18 thousand voting polls.

The vote will
take place on Sunday, starting 7 AM and ending 9 PM. Unlike those at home,
Romanians in the Diaspora will have two days to exercise their constitutional right,
and will be able to vote starting Saturday in one of the 748 polls. Due to
different timezones, the Foreign Ministry launched an interactive map of
polling stations abroad, as well as a call center where Romanians living or
residing abroad can receive accurate information. According to the Ministry,
the map allows Romanian citizens to identify polling stations of their choice
and plan their vote, so as to avoid the overcrowding of past years. In case
some stations are relocated for pandemic-related reasons, the interactive map
will provide real-time updates. Voters taking part in the election must observe
a number of special health safety measures the authorities have introduced due
to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Romania, authorities gave assurances the vote will
take place in optimal conditions, as they have taken all measures to keep the
risk of infection at a minimum. People living in quarantined areas will be able
to cast their vote based on a signed declaration specifying the place and
purpose of their movements, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban announced. Exempted to
this rule will be people placed in quarantine following a decision of the local
Directorate for Public Health. The latter will be able to vote by means of the
mobile ballot box. The Central Election Bureau has certified four institutes
and companies to conduct exit polls on Sunday. Exit poll results will be made
public at 9 PM with the closure of polling stations. (V. Palcu)