Local runoffs are taking place in 273 localities of Moldova, where none of the candidates for mayor polled more than half of the valid votes cast in the first round of voting. In another eight localities where the elections were invalidated, the local elections are rerun today, November 19, IPN reports.

As many as 544 candidates for mayor are contending in the runoffs. Out of these, 488 were put forward by political parties, while 56 are independent candidates. The candidates written on the ballot are the two candidates who gained most of the votes in the first round of voting in a locality. Only one candidate will be yet written on the ballots for Cotova village of Drochia district and Todirești village of Ungheni district.

About 828,000 ballots were printed for the runoffs. Out of these, slightly over 637,000 ballots are in the Romanian language, while the others are in the Russian language.

In the runoffs, the elections in the constituency are considered valid if at least 1/5 of the persons put on the voter rolls cast their ballots there.

For the eight localities where the elections are rerun, 23,000 ballots were printed. Voting is based on the same registers of voters and the same electoral councils and offices. The Electoral Code provides that the rerun elections are considered valid regardless of the number of electors who voted in them.

At the polling station, voters present the passport or identity card of the first generation without the accompanying loose leaf. They are allowed to cast the ballot if the electronic system confirms that they were assigned to vote at that polling station and if they are on the main register of voters of the polling station. In the case of persons who vote with the passport, the series and number of the passport is written in the Note division of the register of voters.

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.

Political campaigning on election day is strictly prohibited. It is not allowed conducting or covering electoral activities. The candidates are banned from appearing in TV or radio programs.

Polls open at 07.00 a.m. and close at 09.00 p.m.