Who else is vying for the presidency?
Pro-Western President Sandu will be competing against 10 other presidential candidates — including some advocating closer ties with Russia.
Although the 52-year-old is the clear favorite to win, recent polls suggest she only has around 36% support.
Alexandr Stoianoglo, a 57-year-old former prosecutor supported by the pro-Russian Socialists, is polling at 9%.
Renato Usatii, a 45-year-old former mayor of Moldova’s second largest city Balti, is predicted to win 6.4% of the vote.
Should no candidate win a majority, the vote will head to a second round on November 3.
As for the referendum on joining the EU, surveys show around 55% of Moldovans would support the move, while 34% are against it. For the result to be valid, however, at least 33% of the electorate would need to participate.
Pro-Russian parties have urged people to vote “no” or boycott the vote altogether.
Moldova fears war with Russia
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Votes marred by allegations of Russian interference
Ahead of the election, Moldovan authorities said they had uncovered a massive vote-buying scheme allegedly involving millions of dollars from Russia.
Police have accused Ilan Shor, a fugitive businessman and former politician living in Russia, of trying to pay voters to back a specific presidential candidate and vote “no” in the EU referendum.
Shor, who was convicted in absentia of fraud last year, is under Western sanctions and denies wrongdoing.
Police warned this week that up to a quarter of ballots could be tainted by Russian cash.
Authorities also said they had uncovered a plan that involved hundreds of people being taken to Russia to be trained to stage riots and create “mass disorder” in Moldova.
Sandu has repeatedly issued warnings about Russian efforts to meddle in the vote — allegations Moscow has rejected.
Polling stations close at 9 p.m. local time (1800 GMT), with preliminary results expected later in the evening.
Russia’s battle for influence: From Ukraine to Georgia?
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nm/rc (Reuters, AFP, dpa)
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Publish date : 2024-10-20 00:35:00
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