Romania held its 2025 presidential elections on May 4th, a day marked by a relatively smooth voting process, punctuated by a few reported irregularities and heightened anticipation surrounding the exit polls. Polling stations opened at 7:00 AM and closed at 9:00 PM, with voters able to cast their ballots at designated polling places or on supplementary lists if they were not in their registered locality. This comprehensive report delves into the key events, statistics, and controversies surrounding this pivotal election.
Voting Day: A Detailed Account
The day began with the opening of 18,979 polling stations across Romania, including 1,289 in Bucharest. The process commenced at 7:00 AM, with early voters already expressing their desire for change, stability, and a brighter future for the nation. Early reports from polling stations in Sector 4 of Bucharest highlighted this sentiment. Many voters highlighted a desire for a change in leadership, emphasizing the need for stability and improvements in the nation's economic and social landscape.
Throughout the day, prominent figures participated in the voting process. This included incumbent President Klaus Iohannis, MEP Diana Şoşoaca (who notably wrote additional names on her ballot, including historical figures), Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, former President Traian Băsescu, and numerous presidential candidates themselves. The presence of high-profile individuals served to underscore the significance of the election and to encourage participation among the electorate.
Candidate Participation:
The eleven candidates vying for the presidency all participated in the process, although some faced minor setbacks. Lavinia Şandru was the first to cast her vote at 7:00 AM, followed by George Simion, Nicuşor Dan, and others throughout the morning. Sebastian Constantin Popescu, however, reported being denied his right to vote at a polling station at the Technical University of Bucharest, citing an unclear reason for the refusal. This incident highlights the importance of ensuring smooth and fair access to the voting process for all candidates.
Voter Turnout:
Early turnout figures indicated a relatively strong participation rate, exceeding that of the 2024 elections at several points during the day. However, the rate did show a slight decrease after 2:00 PM compared to previous elections. By 14:00, over 4.51 million people had voted, representing a turnout of 25.1%. This figure showed a modest increase of approximately 58,000 voters compared to the 2024 election at the same time.
Turnout varied across regions, with Ilfov, Argeș, and Giurgiu counties reporting the highest participation rates. An exceptionally high turnout, exceeding 203%, was recorded in Vama Veche. This discrepancy highlights potential challenges in maintaining accurate and consistent voter records across all regions. Further investigation may be needed to identify the underlying causes for the exceptionally high turnout in Vama Veche.
Diaspora Voting:
Romanian citizens living abroad also participated in the elections. By 12:00 PM, over 502,955 votes had been cast in diaspora polling stations, significantly higher than the 302,311 votes cast at the same time during the 2024 elections. This significant increase underlines the increasing engagement of the Romanian diaspora in the national political process.
Incidents and Irregularities:
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) received a total of 243 notifications of potential electoral incidents throughout the day. A significant number (approximately 100) related to the consumption and marketing of alcohol near polling stations. Another 40 notifications fell outside the MAI’s jurisdiction and were forwarded to electoral bureaus and the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP) for resolution. These incidents included reports of pre-marked ballots, voters receiving multiple ballots, and allegations of vote buying, primarily reported in Iași and Bucharest. The MAI’s efficient response in handling these various types of issues reflects a concerted effort to ensure the electoral process’ integrity.
The USR party submitted a request to replace the president of a polling station in Optași Măgura, Olt County, accusing the official of allowing the deputy mayor to enter the voting booth with multiple voters. However, the request was denied by a close vote, with the AEP representative casting the deciding vote.
Exit Polls and Results
Three polling houses – Avangarde, Curs, and ARA Public Open – were accredited by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) to conduct exit polls. Avangarde and Curs conducted traditional exit polls, while ARA prepared a sociological analysis for Antena 3. The release of exit poll data generated some controversy. Marius Pieleanu, head of the Avangarde Institute, publicly refuted leaked data that purportedly showed a specific candidate hierarchy and percentages, stating that Avangarde had not released any data to the public at that time. This highlights the potential for misinformation to influence public perception during the election and underscores the importance of verifying data sources. Pieleanu emphasized a clear hierarchy among candidates, leading to two distinct candidates qualifying for the second round of elections even before accounting for diaspora votes.
The exit poll results were announced at 9:00 PM immediately following the closure of the polling stations. HotNews.ro provided live coverage of the results, while also highlighting the discrepancies between preliminary reports and the official data released by the polling agencies. The differences between predicted and final results also highlight the inherent limitations of exit polls, emphasizing their role as indicators rather than definitive predictors.
Post-Election Processes
Following the closure of the polling stations, the official vote count began. Partial results were made available on the AEP website as votes were centralized and minutes uploaded. The final results were expected by the following day. The OSCE deployed a team of 13 observers to monitor the election, and a final report was anticipated. The observers were invited by the Romanian authorities and were present in the country since March 25th. Their observations will add to a broader understanding of the election’s transparency and fairness.
Conclusion: Reflection on the 2025 Romanian Presidential Election
The 2025 Romanian presidential election showcased a complex interplay of factors, from significant voter participation and a relatively smooth voting process to reported irregularities and the dissemination of potentially misleading information. The high turnout, particularly among the diaspora, underscores the growing engagement of the Romanian population in the national political landscape. However, the reported incidents highlight the continued need to maintain vigilance against potential electoral malpractices and to ensure that the integrity of the voting process is upheld. The role of exit polls in shaping public perception and the need for responsible reporting of such data are also crucial aspects for consideration. The final results, coupled with the reports from international observer missions, will provide a comprehensive assessment of the fairness and legitimacy of the electoral process and set the stage for the next phase of Romania's political journey. The detailed monitoring of the election by organizations like the OSCE and the timely dissemination of official results from the AEP demonstrate a significant commitment to maintaining transparency and promoting democratic principles. Further analysis of the election data will provide valuable insights into voter behaviour and the influence of various factors on the outcome. This detailed understanding is critical for improving electoral processes and strengthening democratic institutions in Romania.