BUCHAREST (Romania), December 7 (SeeNews) – The run-off vote in Romania’s presidential elections confirmed the overall positive assessment made following the first round, but remaining shortcomings and renewed allegations of irregularities need to be addressed, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said on Monday.
"Further efforts are required to address remaining weaknesses to improve the election process and strengthen public confidence. This includes the investigation of reports of fraud received by the authorities during the second round," the observation mission deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement.
"The conduct of the second round confirms our initial assessment that this election was held generally in line with OSCE commitments. But reports of irregularities should be investigated without delay, and in order to increase transparency and confidence in the integrity of the process, the authorities should publish results by polling station as a matter or urgency," the head of the mission, Vadim Zhdanovich, said in a statement.
The mission also noted that the pre-election campaign took place in a pluralistic and calm environment.
“It was less intense than during the first round, but negative campaigning increased.”
”The election administration continued to work in an overall professional manner, and the media, as a whole, provided varied and ample coverage of the campaign, allowing voters to make an informed choice. The coverage of public television was generally balanced, neutral and fair,” the observation mission said.
Incummbent Traian Basescu, the informal leader of governing Democratic-Liberal Party running for re-election, has won 50.33% of the vote, while opposition Social Democratic leader Mircea Geoana got 49.66% support, based on 99.95% of the ballots counted, official partial results showed. Voter turnout was 58%, compared to 54.4% in the first round.
Social Democratic Party officials said earlier on Monday the party was considering challenging the results due to alleged numerous irregularities during the vote, local media reported.