Roundup: Lithuania sees 49.9 pct voters' turnout in parliamentary races: CEC

Around 43.21 percent of Lithuania's eligible voters cast their ballots in the country's parliamentary elections on Sunday, data from the country's Central Electoral Commission (CEC) showed after voting districts were closed.

Together with early votes which amounted to 6.68 percent, about 49.9 percent of all eligible voters participated in the national elections, in comparison with 52.93 percent in the elections of the Seimas, Lithuanian parliament, in 2012.

CEC Chairman Zenonas Vaigauskas said that rainy weather on Sunday in Lithuania could somewhat influence voters' activity.

There are 2.509 million registered eligible voters in Lithuania, CEC data shows.

Political scientist Algis Krupavicius said in an interview with local website vz.lt that the figures confirmed the trend from about 15 years in the past that around 50 percent of Lithuanian voters usually participate in national elections.

"There are no surprises, it was projected that voter's activity will amount to approximately 50 percent; however, it is too early to forecast which parties will benefit from this level of activity," Krupavicius said.

UNPREDICTABLE BIG WINNER

Three parties -- Lithuanian Social Democratic Party(LSDP), Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) and Lithuania's Peasant and Greens Union -- were running for the largest share of voters' support, opinion polls published before the elections showed.

The outcome of the elections is seen by political analysts as unpredictable with the last polls showing that the ruling social democrats lost part of their popularity due to corruption scandals that have struck the government in recent months.

Meanwhile, Lithuania's Peasant and Greens Union and conservative TS-LKD party improved their positions ahead of the elections, surveys showed.

Head of the LSDP, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius says that social democrats expect to win around 35-40 mandates in the parliamentary election, ELTA news agency reported.

The head of the cabinet told journalists he was ready to form the government if he received support.

The TS-LKD hope for 40-45 seats in the new Seimas, said its leader Gabrielius Landsbergis on Sunday.

"Expectations are good. We feel people's trust and need for changes," Landsbergis told local media.

Saulius Skvernelis, the leader of the Peasant and Greens Union's electoral list, suggested waiting for the second elections round later in October in order to define the new ruling coalition.

"I believe the results (for the Peasant and Greens Union) will be good in any case; however, who will win what share and who will form the government, we will comment after the elections, when some results are announced," Skvernelis was quoted when speaking to reporters by vz.lt.

Ramunas Karbauskis, leader of the Peasant and Greens Union, said earlier that negotiations about the new ruling coalition will only start after the second round of elections.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite used an opportunity to vote in the early voting earlier this week. She then revealed voting for changes.

"For change which would lead to the stable growth of welfare," said Grybauskaite.

VOTERS' REACTIONS

Meanwhile, Lithuanian people arriving to vote in their electoral districts expressed their hopes for positive changes in the country.

Voters interviewed by national broadcaster Lrt.lt admitted that recent corruption scandals had a significant impact on their choices and urged the new parliament to pay more attention on ordinary peoples' needs.

A professor in Vilnius university told Xinhua he voted for the TS-LKD party.

"We expect major public policy change in Lithuania after the formation of new governing coalition," said Vitalis Nakrosis, the professor of political science.

Genovaite, a staff working in a post office, gave her vote to Social Democrats.

"They're now in the government and I think that there should be continuity, because there are now activities that have been started and need to be finished. And, let's say, if a new party comes they'll start new projects. I want stability," she said to Xinhua.

Fourteen political forces, 12 political parties and two coalition lists, are competing in Lithuania's parliamentary elections this year. Political parties have to surpass a 5 percent in order to enter the Seimas, whereas coalitions - a 7 percent vote threshold.

This year, 1,415 candidates contended for a seat in the Seimas.

According to Lithuania's legislation, 70 lawmakers will be elected on Sunday in a nationwide constituency under a proportional system, and 71 lawmakers in single mandate constituencies under a majoritarian voting system.

The country will hold the second round of parliamentary election on October 23 in the single mandate constituencies where no candidate wins a majority in the first round of voting. Endit