Concerns over low turnout in Portuguese presidential elections

[News_Editor]

Concerns over low turnout in Portuguese presidential elections

2011-01-24 00:25:46 GMT+7 (ICT)

LISBON (BNO NEWS) -- Concerns over a low turnout increased on Sunday during Portugal's presidential election, local daily Diario de Noticias reported.

The turnout recorded on Sunday at midday was about 13.39 percent, significantly lower than the 19 percent recorded at noon during the 2006 elections that resulted in the victory of current President Aníbal Cavaco Silva. There are 9,656,474 eligible voters registered to cast ballots.

Since the opening of polling stations on Sunday, candidates and political leaders have called on citizens to vote in a last-minute attempt to increase the turnout.

However, election results are not expected to be a surprise. The incumbent Cavaco Silva, who is supported by two right-wing parties, is expected to win against his leftist challenger Manuel Alegre.

The elections have been overshadowed by the country's economic crisis and politicians are keen to avoid being bailed out by Europe. The government has adopted tough austerity measures to reduce public debt from a staggering 7.3 percent of GDP in 2010 to 4.6 percent this year.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-24