President of Moldova Raises Concerns Over Alleged Election Interference

chisinau - President Maia Sandu of Moldova accuses criminals of attempting to buy 300,000 votes during the recent elections, citing unprecedented levels of interference.

President Maia Sandu of Moldova has raised concerns over alleged election interference, stating that criminals attempted to buy 300,000 votes during the recent elections held in the East European country. Sandu described this as an unprecedented attack on freedom and democracy in Moldova, both during the elections and in the preceding months. Moldovans went to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president and to express their views in a referendum on potential European Union membership.

The pro-European Sandu has long accused Russia of exerting influence on the elections and the referendum. The European Commission also condemned Russia's ruthless and aggressive interference in Moldova in the lead-up to the referendum earlier this week.

Initial results on Sunday evening indicated that a majority of Moldovans voted against EU membership. However, according to the initial counts, a majority of voters supported Sandu. With approximately three-quarters of the votes counted, she stands at 36.5 percent, while the candidate backed by the pro-Russian Socialist Party, Alexandr Stoianoglo, received 29 percent of the votes. It is highly likely that the two candidates will face off against each other in a second round.