Romanian Social Democrats Claim Election Outcome Was Rigged

The Social Democratic Party, whose presidential candidate Mircea Geoana was leading in exit-polls after Sunday's presidential election, announced will contest the outcome at the Constitutional Court, claiming the election was rigged.

 

Although Geoana was leading exit-polls Sunday evening, the final election results shows incumbent Traian Basescu reelected with 50.33% and Geoana losing with 49.66%.

 

Social Democratic Party secretary general Liviu Dragnea said on Monday that Romanians elected Geoana president, but Basescu's state apparatus is striving to pull the strings in the latter's favor. The decision to contest the results of the presidential election runoff will be made by the party's Executive Committee at 5 p.m.

 

"We are convinced Romanians voted Mircea Geoana for president, but Traian Basescu's state apparatus is trying to fraudulently proclaim him victor," Dragnea said.

 

The Constitutional Court can annul the result of presidential elections if it turns out the election was rigged. If the election outcome is canceled, the voting process is repeated on the second Sunday after the Constitutional Court's decision.