MADRID (Sputnik) — Experts predict that the turnout in the elections would be higher than in 2011, when 46.23 percent of voters came to the polling stations. According to the Ministry of Internal Administration, the turnout passed the 37 percent threshold as of 16:00, while the turnout during the previous election was 35 percent an hour before the end.
The winning candidate is required to gain over 50 percent of the votes in the first round of voting.
A record number of 10 candidates have thrown their hats into the race this year.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, backed by centrist and right-wing parties, is a projected front-runner with up to 55 percent of support in opinion polls.
Two independent candidates, former Lisbon University rector Antonio Sampaio da Novoa and former Socialist party chairwoman Maria de Belem, trail Sousa in opinion polls at up to 22.5 percent and 12 percent respectively.
The Portuguese Constitution prevents incumbent President Anibal Cavaco Silva from seeking a third term in office.
If elected in the fist round, the new head of state takes office in late March. In case neither candidate generates over half the votes, a runoff election is scheduled for February 14.
