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| Romanian opposition alleges fraud | Romanian opposition alleges fraud |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Romania's opposition Social Democrat party says Sunday's presidential election was rigged and plans to contest the result. | Romania's opposition Social Democrat party says Sunday's presidential election was rigged and plans to contest the result. |
| Official results showed incumbent President Traian Basescu with a winning margin of less than 1%. | Official results showed incumbent President Traian Basescu with a winning margin of less than 1%. |
| Earlier, exit polls had predicted victory for his Social Democrat rival, former Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana. | Earlier, exit polls had predicted victory for his Social Democrat rival, former Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana. |
| Both candidates had claimed victory on Sunday night in what correspondents describe as a bitter contest. | Both candidates had claimed victory on Sunday night in what correspondents describe as a bitter contest. |
| "We have proof of fraud," Social Democrat vice-president Liviu Dragnea was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. | |
| "The exit poll, the large number of annulled votes... massive electoral tourism and other things obviously force us to contest the result." | |
| Election officials said centre-right President Basescu had won 50.33% of votes compared to Mr Geoana's 49.66%, with 99.95% of votes counted. | |
| Payment delay | |
| The election campaign was fought against the backdrop of a serious economic crisis in Romania. It has also been marred by personal attacks and allegations. | |
| A TV debate ended in smiles and handshakes despite a bitter campaign | |
| Mr Geoana had told his jubilant supporters in Bucharest after the polls closed on Sunday night: "Our victory is the victory of all Romanians who want a better life. This is a beautiful night for Romanian democracy." | |
| But Mr Basescu also claimed victory, saying exit polls were deceptive. | |
| "I won. I assure you that... the correct polls showed that I was ahead of Mircea Geoana," he said. | |
| "My voters need to stay calm and convinced that the counting of votes cannot be subject to fraud." | |
| One of the key roles of the next president will be to appoint a prime minister, as Romania has been led by a caretaker government since October. | |
| The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has delayed the payment of part of a bail-out loan because of the current lack of effective government in Romania. | |
| Analysts say corruption is still widespread, nearly three years after the country joined the EU. | |
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