Voters in Romania headed to the polls on Sunday for the first round of the presidential election, five months after a first attempt to hold the election was cancelled.
About 1.98 million Romanians, or 11% of registered voters, had cast ballots by 0710 GMT, data showed. Voting will end at 9 p.m. (1800 GMT) with exit polls to follow immediately and preliminary results expected later in the evening.
Right-wing politician George Simion is polling at around 30%, a comfortable lead but well short of the 50% he needs to avoid a run-off on May 18.
Simion’s main rivals are two centrists – former senator Crin Antonescu, 65, backed by the three parties in the current government, and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, 55, running as an independent on an anti-corruption platform.
Romania’s president has a semi-executive role that includes commanding the armed forces and chairing the security council that decides on military aid. He can also veto important EU votes and appoints the prime minister, chief judges, prosecutors and secret service heads.
