Lithuanians vote for new president

Vilnius, May 11 (IANS) About 2.5 million Lithuanians went to the polls Sunday to elect their president.

A total of seven candidates are in the fray, Xinhua reported.

Incumbent President Dalia Grybauskaite is likely to be re-elected this year for a second term, officials said.

Grybauskaite, also referred to as "Steel Magnolia", assumed presidential duties July 12, 2009 and became the first ever woman president of Lithuania.

Among the six other candidates, Zigmantas Balcytis, a Social Democrat and a member of the European Parliament, and Arturas Paulauskas of the Labour Party are her main challengers.

The results of the presidential elections will be declared May 25.