Chisinau [Moldova], November 4: Moldovan President Maia Sandu has warned of vote buying and electoral fraud as voters cast their ballots in a run-off presidential election on Sunday.
"Thieves want to buy our votes and our country, but the power of the people is infinitely stronger than all their machinations," the 52-year-old pro-European politician told local media when she cast her vote in the capital, Chisinau.
Sandu is running for a second term, but failed to secure an absolute majority in the first round of voting a fortnight ago. The 52-year-old head of state garnered 42.45% of votes on October 20, leading the pack of a total of 11 candidates.
Her biggest rival and former attorney general Alexandr Stoianoglo, the candidate of the traditionally strong Socialist Party of pro-Russian ex-president Igor Dodon, came in second with 25.98%.
Despite the considerable margin between Sandu and Stoianoglo, the outcome of Sunday's run-off vote is considered open.
According to the electoral authority, voter turnout in the afternoon was around 43%, with more than 1.2 million people already casting their votes.
Source: Qatar Tribune
