Twijfels over verkiezingsproces in Roemenië (en)

International election observers appear to have partially backed opposition claims that Romania's vote on Sunday (28 November) was not completely transparent.

Observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have voiced concerns that procedural irregularities during the Presidential and Legislative elections may have led to voter fraud.

Ambassador Stephen Nash, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Assessment Mission, said that while democracy appears to have been consolidated once again, the decision to drop voter cards could have led to multiple voting.

Romania's opposition Democratic Party has alleged that the Socialist Government of Adrian Nastase engaged in unfair practices, which resulted in them securing a narrow governing majority and the Presidency.

A margin of just three percentage points separates the two parties.

"Some procedural concerns have been raised regarding suspension of the use of voter cards", Mr Nash said in a statement, "in the context of a closely contested election, this has the potential to affect public confidence".

"The OSCE/ODIHR Assessment Mission did not receive any convincing information that explained the suspension of the use of voter cards for these elections. This, combined with the possibility to vote in any polling station, has the potential to open the door for multiple voting".

There is set to be a second round of voting on 12 December to determine who has won the presidential race.