BUCHAREST, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Romanian government on Thursday approved the organization of partial local elections, including a vote for Bucharest's general mayor, to be held on Dec. 7.
According to government spokesperson Ioana Dogioiu, the elections will also include ballots for the presidency of the Buzau County Council and for mayors in ten other localities where positions have remained vacant since last year. She made the announcement during a press conference at the Victoria Palace.
The electoral period will begin on Nov. 2, with campaigning set to run from Nov. 22 to Dec. 6. On election day, polls will take place between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time.
Candidates for the Bucharest mayoral race and for the Buzau County Council presidency may submit their applications during Nov. 12-17. The government noted that procedural deadlines have been halved due to the organization of the partial elections.
Former Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan was elected president of Romania in May. His deputy, Stelian Bujduveanu of the National Liberal Party, is currently serving as interim mayor.
The outcome of the December vote will decide who will lead Romania's capital city of more than two million people through the second half of the current local government term. ■
