A number of 609 polling stations were opened for the runoffs that are held today in 273 localities and more than 839,000 persons are expected to cast their votes there. Another 11 polling stations were established for the elections that are rerun in eight localities and over 12,000 electors are to vote there. All the polling stations opened at 7 a.m. In two localities, the power was off for about 20 minutes, but the situation was remedied. The data were presented by representatives of the Central Election Commission (CEC) on Sunday morning, IPN reports.

In a press briefing, CEC chairwoman Angelica Caraman said that 544 persons are contending for the 273 seats of mayor in the runoff vote. Out of these, 56 are independent candidates, while the others represent political parties.

Orhei is the district with most of the localities in which a runoff vote is held – 20 administrative units. In the districts of Dondușeni, Basarabeasca and Taraclia, runoffs take place in a locality of each of these districts. In the municipality of Chisinau, the runoff vote is held in eight suburban settlements.

The candidate who polls most of the votes in the runoffs is considered the winner. If the votes gained by the candidates are equal, the candidate with the largest number of votes in the first round of voting is declared the winner. If the candidates in the first round also obtained an equal number of voters, the district electoral council will hold a draw. In the case of the two localities where only one candidate is running, this candidate is considered elected if the person gained at least half of the votes cast in that locality.

In the eight localities where the elections are rerun, the voters choose the local councilors, while in six of them also the mayors.

Polls close at 9 p.m. The voters who for health or other valid reasons cannot go to the polling station need to submit a written request to the electoral office to ask for a mobile ballot box. Voters can also request to vote at the place of residence on election day by submitting a request in written form, but with the presentation of a medical certificate, by 2pm.