Chi?inau/Moscow, Sept 30, (dpa/GNA,) – Moscow has accused the leadership in Moldova of preventing hundreds of thousands of the country’s citizens living in Russia from casting their votes in the parliamentary election on Sunday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, complained on Monday that Moldova had only opened two polling stations on Russian territory. He said because the capacity was insufficient, hundreds of thousands were unable to vote.
The Moldovan Foreign Ministry stated on election day that only 5,000 ballots were available at each of the two polling stations. The ministry cited security reasons for this, but did not specify what they were. Hundreds of thousands of Moldovans live in Russia.
Russia criticized the absence of such restrictions in EU countries.
According to Moldovan information, more than 276,000 citizens voted in the EU and in other Western countries, traditionally in favour of pro-European forces.
According to the election commission, the party of pro-European President Maia Sandu once again secured a majority in parliament.
Sandu had previously accused Russia of massive interference, including vote-buying, disinformation and cyberattacks.
Small protest against election outcome in Moldova
Kremlin spokesman Peskov, said Russia would otherwise refrain from evaluating the election, and leave this to the political parties and blocs in Moldova.
The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc, supported by Moscow and led by former president Igor Dodon, finished a distant second.
Dodon was able to gather only a few discontented people onto the streets during a protest on Monday in the capital, Chi?inau.
He complained that many people, especially in the breakaway region of Transnistria, where Russian soldiers are stationed, had been prevented from voting.
In total, five parties and blocs managed to enter parliament.
Traditionally, Moldova is torn between rapprochement with the EU and alignment with Russia.
International election observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), also intend to comment later on Monday on the conduct of the parliamentary election.
GNA