As Prime Minister Victor Ponta takes the lead in the first round of Romania’s presidential election, there is controversy over the voting.<br /><br />With nearly all ballots counted, the leader of the Social Democrats had clinched over 40% of the vote, making him the firm favourite to win a second round run-off on November 16.<br /><br />However, the election was shrouded in scandal as thousands of expatriots were unable to vote due to delays at polling stations.<br /><br />Outside the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest protesters called for the minister’s resignation.<br /><br />“It’s absolutely acceptable for Romanians abroad to be waiting since 1 o’clock and still not being able to vote,” said one of the demonstrators.<br /><br />In Spain Romanians queued for hours before being turned away when the polling stations closed in the evening.<br /><br />In Paris special troops had to intervene when people tried to force their way into the the embassy to vote.<br /><br />While in London, more than 1,000 people were unable to cast their ballots.
