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Polls to open in Romania election Voting under way in Romania poll
(about 11 hours later)
Polls are due to open in Romania in the first round of a presidential election, with 12 candidates vying for office. Voting is under way in Romania in the first round of a presidential election, with 12 candidates vying for office.
The frontrunners are the centre-right incumbent, Traian Basescu, and his Social Democrat rival, Mircea Geoana.The frontrunners are the centre-right incumbent, Traian Basescu, and his Social Democrat rival, Mircea Geoana.
The election is expected to put an end to the political crisis which followed the collapse of the centre-right government of Emil Boc in October.The election is expected to put an end to the political crisis which followed the collapse of the centre-right government of Emil Boc in October.
For six weeks recession-hit Romania has been in the hands of a caretaker government. Since then recession-hit Romania has been in the hands of a caretaker government.
Sunday's is the country's first presidential election as a member of the EU. The IMF has delayed the payment of part of its bail-out loan to the Eastern European country because of its current lack of effective government.
Reforms
This is Romania's first presidential election as a member of the European Union. More than 18 million people are eligible to vote.
By 1300 (1100 GMT), six hours after polling opened, turn-out was just under 21%. Voting ends at 2100, with exit polls expected shortly afterwards.
Mr Basescu, who has been president for five years, wants a mandate to overcome what he says is the blocking of his political reforms by opposition parties.Mr Basescu, who has been president for five years, wants a mandate to overcome what he says is the blocking of his political reforms by opposition parties.
Mr Geoana - a former US ambassador and foreign affairs minister - is offering voters an ambitious economic stimulus package.Mr Geoana - a former US ambassador and foreign affairs minister - is offering voters an ambitious economic stimulus package.
Latest polls show the Liberal candidate Crin Antonescu trailing in third place. Opinion polls give Mr Basescu a slight lead over Mr Geoana, with Liberal candidate Crin Antonescu trailing in third place.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Bucharest says Romania's current lack of effective government is jeopardising the payment of the next segment of an IMF-led loan. A run-off will be held on 6 December if, as expected, no candidate wins an absolute majority in the first round.
A run-off will be held on 6 December if no candidate wins an absolute majority in the first round.
The winner will appoint a new premier and have an influence on long-delayed reforms aimed at bringing the country up to EU standards.The winner will appoint a new premier and have an influence on long-delayed reforms aimed at bringing the country up to EU standards.
Analysts say corruption is still widespread in Romania, nearly three years after the country joined the EU.Analysts say corruption is still widespread in Romania, nearly three years after the country joined the EU.
A referendum is also being held on Sunday to decide whether to scrap one of the two chambers of parliament and reduce the number of deputies.A referendum is also being held on Sunday to decide whether to scrap one of the two chambers of parliament and reduce the number of deputies.