Voting: Moldova’s security advisor accuses Moscow of election interference

In the Republic of Moldova, the national security adviser to the pro-Western head of state Maia Sandu has accused Russia of massive interference in the ongoing run-off election for the presidency. Stanislav Secrieru said on the X platform that election interference carries a great risk of distorting the results. The authorities were alerted. In the Transnistria region, which has broken away from Moldova and where Russian troops are stationed, there are organized transports of voters to the polls; that was illegal, he said.

The confidant of incumbent Sandu, who is hoping for a runoff election victory and a second term in office, also published reports about organized transport from Russia on buses and charter flights that took voters to the Azerbaijani capital Baku, the Turkish metropolis Istanbul and the Belarusian capital Minsk flew.

Chisinau: Illegal transport of voters

Secrieru also published a video circulating on social networks showing people allegedly holding up their Moldovan passports on a plane on the way to Minsk. There had previously been complaints that only two polling stations in Moscow were open for Moldovans living in Russia to cast their votes. The flight was clear evidence of widespread organized voter transport, Secrieru said.

The people in the impoverished agricultural country, which is a candidate for EU membership, are deciding between Sandu and the former Attorney General Alexandr Stoianoglo. The 57-year-old is running for the Socialist Party of Moscow-friendly former President Igor Dodon. The outcome of the election is considered open.