On September 28, parliamentary elections began in Moldova, where 101 deputies will be elected to govern the country for the next four years. According to News Maker,
polling stations opened at 7:00 AM and will operate until 9:00 PM. A total of 1973 polling stations are set up, including 12 for residents of the Transnistrian region. Moldovans can check their polling station registration online.
Fourteen parties, four blocks, and four independent candidates are participating in the elections. The main competition is expected between the ruling party «Action and Solidarity» (PAS) and the Patriotic Block, which includes socialists, communists, the «Heart of Moldova» party, and the «Future of Moldova» parties.
Days before the elections, the Chișinău Court of Appeals suspended the activities of the «Heart of Moldova» party at the request of the Ministry of Justice due to suspicions of illegal financing, leading the CEC to remove the party from the elections.
According to surveys, «Our Party» and the «Alternative» block have a good chance of entering parliament, with estimated support between 4% and 10%. For parties to enter parliament, they need at least 5%, blocks require 7%, and independent candidates need 2%.
The elections are deemed valid if at least 30% of voters participate.
For voting abroad, 301 polling stations have been established, with the highest numbers in Italy (75), Germany (36), France (26), the United Kingdom (24), and Romania (23). Mail-in voting is also available in 10 countries, including the USA and Canada.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Technologies of Moldova, Doina Nistor, accused Russia of a cyberattack on the country's Central Election Commission just days before the parliamentary elections.