Sandu has slim lead in Moldova's presidential run-off

Moldovans voted in a critical presidential runoff on Sunday, where pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu faced off against a Russia-friendly challenger.

Sandu has a slim lead – 50.47% – over Alexandr Stoianoglo who has slipped behind to 49.53% with 90.90% of the votes counted.

This election has been marred by allegations of voter fraud, electoral interference, and intimidation, raising concerns about the state of democracy in an EU candidate country.

In the first round on October 20, Sandu received 42% of the vote but did not secure an outright majority. This left her to face Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general, who exceeded expectations by garnering nearly 26% in the first round.

Moldovan police monitoring the polls on Sunday said they had “reasonable evidence” of organised voter transportation, which is illegal under the country’s electoral code, reportedly occurring both within the country and overseas.

Authorities are currently investigating and collecting evidence related to air transport activities from Russia to Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.

According to police, “Such measures are taken to protect the integrity of the electoral process and to ensure that every citizen’s vote is cast freely without undue pressure or influence.”

Posting on social media platform X, the president’s national security adviser Stanislav Secrieru, expressed concern over a potential result sabotage, writing: “We are seeing massive interference by Russia in our electoral process.”

Sandu, meanwhile, urged Moldovans to defend the country’s independence by voting.

After casting her ballot in Chisinau, Sandu said: “Today, more than ever, we must be united, keep our peace, keep our vote, keep our independence.”

“Thieves want to buy our vote, thieves want to buy our country, but the power of the people is infinitely greater,” she told reporters.

Stoianoglo, meanwhile, insisted that neither he nor the Socialist Party were involved in vote-buying and claimed he has no connections with the Kremlin.

Moldova’s prime minister, Dorin Recean, said that people across the country had received “anonymous death threats via phone calls”, calling it “an extreme attack” to scare voters.

“These acts of intimidation have only one purpose: to create panic and fear,” Recean said in a statement. “I assure you that state institutions will ensure order and protect citizens.”