Hundreds of Moldovan citizens went to the embassy in the Russian Federation to vote in the election

correspondent reported that hundreds of Moldovan citizens attended the opening ceremony of polling stations at the embassy in Moscow to vote in the presidential election and referendum in the country.

Security measures have been increased in front of the embassy building – reinforced police teams are on duty. Currently the situation is quiet.

Voting has begun in Moldova for the presidential election and referendum on joining the EU

On voting day, from 07:00 to 21:00 (local time coinciding with Moscow), more than 2.2 thousand polling stations will be open, including more than 230 at 40 Moldova representative offices abroad. Of these, in Russia, where more than 300 thousand Moldovan citizens are registered with the right to vote, only two polling stations will be open – both located on the territory of the Republic's embassy in Moscow.

Initially, the Central Election Commission of Moldova planned to open 29 polling stations in the Russian Federation, then decided to reduce the number to 5. However, in October, the republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted on hosting only two venues due to “security threats”. This decision caused harsh criticism from the Moldovan opposition. Moldova Member of Parliament Konstantin Starysh, in a speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, said that the authorities are trying to reduce voter turnout in Russia in this way. This year, the election is combined with a referendum on European integration, due to which the basic law of the republic can be amended.

Representatives of the Moldovan community in the Russian Federation also spoke out against Chisinau's decision. On October 16, they submitted a petition to the Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission of Moldova, Angelica Karaman, and the Ambassador of the Republic to Russia, Lilian Darius, asking to open more polling stations. vote and recognize the October 20 election as illegal because the voting rights of Moldovans living in Russia are limited. The country's authorities did not respond to the petition, refusing to increase the number of polling stations.