By 19.00 hrs, as many as 1,062,181 persons participated in the local general elections, or 44% of the voters included in the voter rolls. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), the highest participation rate was recorded in Floresti – 60.96%. In contrast, Chisinau municipality saw the lowest turnout – 29.03%. In Cahul, 48.3% of the registered voters took part in the elections, while in Gagauzia autonomy 46.36% have expressed their political option so far. The preliminary data for the municipality of Balti show a rate of 30.43 %. According to CEC, the voting process takes place without major irregularities. The situation remains unchanged in Corjova village, Dubasari, where the separatist forces entered by force into the polling station no.15/5 and do not allow people to vote. CEC has sent to the Dubasari District Election Council and the respective precinct electoral bureau a letter that thanks them for the civic spirit shown and for the resistance to the pressure exerted by the paramilitary troops of the Tiraspol separatist regime. At the same time, CEC is asking that the results be tabulated and the polling station remain open until 21.00, as required by the regulations. In the May 2003 elections, the voter turnout had been slightly above 48% at the same hour.