Romania’s top court ordered a vote recount in the first round of the presidential election, it said on Thursday, in a ruling observers said risked tarnishing the credibility of state institutions ahead of two more ballots.

BUCHAREST - Romania could rerun its presidential election first round, a senior election official said on Friday, after an independent far-right politician came from nowhere to win a shock victory that caused suspicions of interference in the campaign.

Romania's top court ordered a vote recount in the first round of the presidential election, it said on Thursday, in a ruling observers said risked tarnishing the credibility of state institutions ahead of two more ballots.

Romania's presidential election first round could be rerun if the country's top court decides to annul the vote that took place on Nov. 24, the head of the country's electoral commission said on Friday.

The first round of the presidential election in Romania could be held again if the country’s Supreme Court decides to annul the results of the voting on November 24, according to Electoral Commission Chief Toni Grebla,

If the court rules the rerun, the first round could be held on Dec. 15 and the run-off could be postponed to Dec. 29. The unexpectedly strong showing of far-right pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu,