A man votes at a polling station in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sept. 23, 2022. Voting in municipal elections began Friday in the Czech Republic, as well as in the first round of elections for one-third of the Senate. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua)

PRAGUE, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) — Voting in municipal elections began Friday in the Czech Republic, as well as in the first round of elections for one-third of the Senate.

Czech citizens will decide the political representation in town halls for the next four years, and elect 27 senators in the 81-seat upper house of the parliament.

A total of 178 candidates are running for Senate and a range of local positions. Meanwhile, there are reportedly over 195,000 candidates for municipal positions.

However, despite the lengthy list of candidates, the number is about 20,000 lower than in the last elections four years ago, according to Czech television. As a result of a lack of candidates in some municipalities, not all of them will have a local election.

Polling stations opened from 2:00 p.m. Friday, and will continue on Saturday.

The first election results are expected on Saturday evening, with final results likely to be posted on Sunday morning. ■

A voter enters a polling station in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sept. 23, 2022. Voting in municipal elections began Friday in the Czech Republic, as well as in the first round of elections for one-third of the Senate. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua)

A woman votes at a polling station in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sept. 23, 2022. Voting in municipal elections began Friday in the Czech Republic, as well as in the first round of elections for one-third of the Senate. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua)

A woman picks up ballot papers at a polling station in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sept. 23, 2022. Voting in municipal elections began Friday in the Czech Republic, as well as in the first round of elections for one-third of the Senate. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua)

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