Lithuania went to polls on Sunday to elect a new president, with incumbent Valdas Adamkus riding high in the opinion polls thanks to invitations to join the EU and NATO.
The Baltic state’s estimated 2.7 million voters have seventeen candidates to choose from, twice as many as last time polls were held, AFP reported.
Polling stations in Vilnius opened at 7:00 am (local time) and are expected to close at 8:00 pm (local time).
In addition, preliminary results from the 2,015 polling stations are due at around 11:00 pm (local time).
In spite the record number of candidates, including some leading figures, all expectations lie with Adamkus, aged 75, a returnee from the United States, gaining a second five-year term in office, although probably not without a second round run-off vote.
A second round has been scheduled to take place on January 5, if no candidate secures a majority of votes cast. (Albawaba.com)
