2nd LD: Lithuanian politicians expect second electoral round for most mayoral offices

The voting for the most mayoral offices in Lithuania is widely expected to go to a second round while more than one quarter of voters have casted their ballots in the first round on Sunday.

Eligijus Masiulis, the leader of Lithuania's Liberal Movement, suggested that multitude of Lithuanian mayors will not be elected this Sunday and second round will be necessary.

Masiulis was speaking after casting his vote in Vilnius. His opinion was echoed by the current mayor of capital Vilnius Arturas Zuokas.

"In terms of structure of Vilnius residents, the second round is unavoidable," Zuokas said.

"It is very important that municipal reform is not finished with direct mayoral elections, mayors should have more possibilities and instruments for implementing their promises," Masiulis noted.

Loreta Grauziniene, the speaker of Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, noted that directly elected mayors will have more responsibilities than before.

"The elected mayors will have double responsibility, due to enormous trust of the people, while the powers will remain the same," she was quoted as saying by BNS news agency after voting at her home municipality Ukmerge.

More than 24 percent of voters have casted their votes until 14:00 local time, the Central Electoral Commission announced on Sunday afternoon.

The second round of mayoral elections will be held after two weeks in those municipalities where winners couldn't be produced with more than half of the votes.

Direct mayoral elections are being held in Lithuania for the first time. Previously, mayors were elected by municipal councils.

A total of 1,524 members of municipal councils, including 60 mayors, will be elected at the ballot. Endit