(3 Nov 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chisinau, Moldova - 3 November 2024
1. Various of Moldovan President Maia Sandu voting
2. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Maia Sandu, Moldovan President:
“Today, more than ever, we must be united to keep our peace, to guard our vote, to guard our independence. The thieves want to buy our votes, the thieves want to buy our country but the people's power is infinitely higher.”
3. Sandu leaving
STORYLINE:
Moldovan President Maia Sandu cast her ballot on Sunday in a decisive presidential runoff that pits pro-western incumbent Sandu against a Russia-friendly opponent.
In the first round held Oct. 20, Sandu obtained 42% of the ballot but failed to win an outright majority.
She is facing Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general, who outperformed polls in the first round with almost 26% of the vote.
Polling stations will close at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT). By 1 p.m., 850,000 people — almost 30% of eligible voters — had cast ballots, according to the Central Electoral Commission.
“Today, more than ever, we must be united to keep our peace, to guard our vote, to guard our independence," Sandu said outside the polling station in Chisinau on Sunday.
"The thieves want to buy our votes, the thieves want to buy our country but the people's power is infinitely higher,” she added.
A poll released by research company iData indicates a tight race that leans toward a narrow Sandu victory, an outcome that might rely on Moldova’s large diaspora.
The presidential role carries significant powers in areas such as foreign policy and national security and has a four-year term.
Moldova's diaspora played a key role in a nationwide referendum also held on Oct. 20, when a narrow majority of 50.35% voted to secure Moldova's path toward EU membership.
But the results of the ballots including Sunday's vote have been overshadowed by allegations of a major vote-buying scheme and voter intimidation.
AP Video and production by Nicolae Dumitrache
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