Voters queuing up outside Chisinau stations to take part in Romanian presidential runoff

The second round of the Romanian presidential elections seems to be an easier sweat for the Romanian voters in Moldova: the lines are moving faster, the ballot has only two names on it and there's only one ballot box, instead of three a fortnight ago, when a concurrent referendum was held. However, in a pattern seen two weeks ago, people have formed long queues outside the polling stations in Chisinau from the very first minutes since the stations opened at 7:00. Some started queuing up even earlier, fearing the long wait experienced in the first round. “This time I came at the earliest possible time and have already managed to cast my vote. Last time, I came at dusk and I was unable to do that because there was a long line stretching to the other side of the street”, says Ion Gaidau, one voter. Iurie Gatu, another voter, says things are better organized this time. “There are more members on the commission and the queue is processed faster. Last time one voter would get 3-4 minutes before entering the booth, which was too much.” Ion Serban, chair of station no.171, working inside the Romanian Embassy in Chisinau, has told the agency Info-Prim Neo today the situation is 'incomparable' with what was two weeks ago. “It is a lot easier, the line is flexible, and the voters have just one ballot paper to fill, as opposed to three ballot papers and three boxes last time”, explains Ion Serban. The commission members have said the voters are better informed now and there is less confusion about the identity papers and the registration on the voter rolls. 'Responsibility' is in the air around the polling place. “I voted for democracy, for prosperity and for Europe”, says Gheorghe Rojnovan, accompanied by his wife. Nina Scortescu declared she voted 'for liberty', while Vasile Onofrei said he voted because he's 'a responsible citizen'. “The first step towards a better relationship with Moldova should be made by Bucharest, but our will also matters”, opined Vasile Onofrei. The second round of the Romanian presidential polls takes place a fortnight from the first round, on November, at the same stations and constituencies, and based on the same voter rolls as in the first round. 13 stations are opened in Moldova: 4 in Chisinau and 9 in other locations. The two candidates, Traian Basescu and Mircea Geoana, need a simple majority to win Romania's top job.