Early results show 50% of Moldovans vote ‘yes’ at referendum on EU aspirations

Early results show 50% of Moldovans vote 'yes' at referendum on EU aspirations


Moldova's President Maia during a press conference after voting in the presidential election and a referendum on whether to enshrine the country's path to EU membership in the constitution in Chisinau, Moldova, early Monday (October 21) Sandu spoke to the media. 2024).

Moldova’s President Maia during a press conference after voting in the presidential election and a referendum on whether to enshrine the country’s path to EU membership in the constitution in Chisinau, Moldova, early Monday (October 21) Sandu spoke to the media. 2024). , Photo Credit: AP

Half of Moldovans voted “yes” on Sunday (October 20, 2024) Referendum on the country’s EU aspirationsInitial results showed that despite pressure from Russia, this small country stuck between East and West is on track to join the single market.

50% of Moldovans voted “yes”, with 97.66% of votes counted at 0300 GMT (8.30 am IST) on Monday (October 21, 2024), according to results posted on the website of Moldova’s Central Election Commission.

However, the final result was still up in the air. A few hours ago, partial results showed that 57% are not committed to joining the EU.

Analysts said ballots from largely pro-EU migrants were counted last, causing a last-minute push by the “Yes” campaign.

Although far from a major success, the results go in favor of the incumbent Pro-EU President Maia SanduWho was contesting the elections to retain her post on Sunday (October 20, 2024). As of early Monday (October 21, 2024), he had 41.91% of the votes with 97.7% of the votes counted.

The referendum and presidential election are seen as a test of the deeply divided nation’s willingness to maintain close ties with Russia or begin a potentially lengthy process of joining the European Union.

Ms Sandu’s main rival in the presidential election, former Prosecutor General Alexander Stoianglou, received 26.32% of the vote, setting the stage for a Nov. 3 election in the poor ex-Soviet south-eastern European nation.

If no candidate crosses the 50% mark then the vote is cancelled.

In a statement to Moldovans, Ms Sandu said late on Sunday (October 20, 2024) that there was “clear evidence” that criminal groups working in collaboration with foreign forces hostile to Moldova’s interests bought 300,000 votes. Tried what he called “fraud”. Of unprecedented scale.”

“Their aim was to undermine the democratic process. Their intention was to spread fear and panic in the society… We are waiting for the final results and we will respond with a strong decision.”

Ahead of the vote, the election was overshadowed by allegations of interference by Russian-based fugitive tycoon Ilan Shor. Moscow has denied interference, while Mr Shor has denied wrongdoing.

Earlier this month, Moldovan police arrested Mr Shor, who was jailed in absentia on fraud and theft charges, after accusing a network of at least 130,000 voters of voting “no” in the election and supporting “our candidate”. Accused of attempting to pay.

Mr Shor has openly offered to pay Moldovans on social media to persuade others to vote a certain way and has said this is a legitimate use of the money he has earned.

In the early hours of Monday (October 21, 2024), he said that Moldovans had voted against the referendum.

“Today I congratulate you, you lost the battle,” he said, addressing Ms Sandu only as Maia.

Before the vote, Moldovan authorities removed online resources they said had spread disinformation, announcing that they had uncovered a program in Russia to train Moldovans to incite mass unrest and opened criminal cases against Mr. Shor’s associates.



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