Lithuania is holding presidential elections, with incumbent Dalia Grybauskaite widely predicted to secure her second term.

Recent opinion polls gave Dalia Grybauskaite a big lead over her closest rivals: lawmaker Arturas Paulauskas and European Parliament member Zigmantas Balcytis.

Lithuania is holding presidential elections, with incumbent Dalia Grybauskaite widely predicted to secure her second term

Dalia Grybauskaite, 58, is hoping to secure more than 50% of the votes to avoid a run-off.

The election comes amid rising security concerns in the region after Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Polling stations across the Baltic state will open at 04:00 GMT and will close at 17:00 GMT.

Some 2.5 million people are eligible to cast their ballots.

With Dalia Grybauskaite seen by many as a hot favorite, critics say the campaigning lacked energy.

“I have never seen in any country such a dull election campaign,” former President Valdas Adamkus was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.

First results are expected shortly after the voting ends.

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