Romanians are going to the polls in a tight presidential election amid skepticism that it will resolve months of political crisis, stalled reforms and persuade international lenders to resume aid. 

Pre-election surveys showed centrist President Traian Basescu of the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) leading slightly with 33 percent approval. He is seeking a second term. His main rival and former foreign minister, Mircea Geoana of the opposition ex-communist Social Democrats (PSD) follows with 30 percent. Crin Antonescu, who is the head of the nationalist Liberal Party (PNL) was polled at a 18 percent approval rating, just ahead of the vote. 

In total, 12 candidates are running in the election. If no one wins an absolute majority, a second presidential round is to be held on December 6. Analysts say the winner could play a key role in finding a new prime minister to overhaul Romania's debt-laden public finances and tackle corruption.

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Romanians voted for a new president Sunday, hoping to end a leadership crisis that threatens a euro1.5 billion ($2 billion) IMF loan their country desperately needs to ease a painful recession.

As they cast their ballots, President Traian Basescu, 58, and his main rival, former Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, 51, described the election as one of the most important votes Romania has had since the 1989 fall of communism.

Yet reports of possible fraud soon emerged as far more people than normal were casting ballots at special voting centers that are set up for Romanians who need to vote outside their area of residence because they are traveling.

The Electoral Committee said more than 305,000 people were voting at such locations, and witnesses claimed some were being bused there after already having cast ballots elsewhere. For instance, Economy Minister Adriean Videanu called for a halt to "electoral tourism" in Moara Vlasie, near Bucharest, saying election authorities there were overwhelmed.

Romania's government collapsed last month amid squabbling between the two-party coalition, and the International Monetary Fund has delayed access to the bailout loan while the country struggles to set up a new government.

Nine banks operating in Romania are, again, pledging commitment to ensure their affiliates maintain adequate capital levels above 10%, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday.

The banks' reaffirmation came at a European Bank Coordination Initiative Group meeting held in Brussels. The banks originally said, at meetings in March and May, they would "maintain their positions in Romania," according to an IMF statement.

"In a few cases, exposure temporarily fell below the agreed level," the IMF statement said.

These discussions involving adequate capital levels for the banks stem from stress tests conducted by the National Bank of Romania.

The involved banks are Erste Group Bank (EBKDY, EBS.VI), Raiffeisen International (RAIFY, RIBH.VI), Eurobank EFG, National Bank of Greece (NBG, ETE.AT), UniCredit Group (UNCFF, UCG.MI), Societe Generale (SCGLY, GLE.FR), Alpha Bank (ALBKY), Volksbank, and Piraeus Bank (TPEIR.AT). The firms told regulatory officials that the availability of "appropriate investment instruments" is essential.

Western organizations have made clear however that whoever wins Sunday's ballot will face the prospect that real long-term economic growth can only be achieved with tough measures. They include IMF-backed plans to sack up to 150,000 of Romania's 1.3 million public workers, freezing state wages  and cut pensions.

Bucharest. Voter turnout in the presidential elections in Romania was 49,97% by 7:00pm, Realitatja television channel announced, citing data of the Central Electoral Commission. About 47,21% is the voter turnout in cities and 53,77% in villages.
46,84% of citizens voted in the referendum which must determine whether the country should have less MPs and one-chamber parliament, instead of the incumbent two-chamber one.

Nov. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Romanian President Traian Basescu won the most votes in his bid for re-election today, giving him the edge against the leader of the party of former communists in a run-off on Dec. 6, exit polling showed.

Basescu took 32.8 percent of the vote, putting him ahead of 11 other candidates. Mircea Geoana, head of the Social Democratic Party, who took second with 31.7 percent, will take part in the two-man second round, according to the INSOMAR polling institute. Liberal leader Crin Antonescu was third with 12.8 percent, the poll shows.

"Today was a victory we obtained in the first stage of the presidential race," Basescu said in a speech to supporters after the exit poll results were released. He said voter turnout was "a big motive for joy and satisfaction."

The winner will name a prime minister to replace Emil Boc, whose 10-month-old government collapsed in the wake of Cabinet infighting over budget cuts. A new Cabinet with a majority in Parliament will be needed to counter the worst effects of a recession and work to preserve a 20 billion-euro ($30 billion) international loan led by the International Monetary Fund.