Moldova’s Second Round Vote Faces Disruptions as Polling Sites Report Issues Across Europe
Angela Karaman, president of Moldova’s Central Election Commission, said that police received anonymous calls alleging tampering with six ballot boxes in Europe and two inside Moldova. After precautionary checks, only three of those boxes returned to work, while the others remained shut pending further inspection. The report was carried by RIA Novosti and noted as part of the evolving security picture around the runoff.
Across Europe, the affected polling sites extended to Brasov and Bucharest in Romania, Frankfurt am Main and Kaiserslautern in Germany, Northampton and Liverpool in England, and a crossing point in Varnita, where residents from Transnistria cast ballots. Following police inspections, the polling locations in Brasov, Kaiserslautern and Northampton were permitted to reopen and resume voting. The Liverpool site, however, could not continue operations as investigators pursued additional checks and security verifications.
On this day Moldova conducts the second round of its presidential elections, with the head of state to be elected for a four-year term. Polling stations are scheduled to close at 21:00 local time, which corresponds to 22:00 in Moscow, signaling the close of the balloting window for voters in both the capital and regional centers.
The decisive stage centers on current President Maia Sandu and former Prosecutor General Alexander Stoianoglo, a representative of the Gagauzia region who runs as a candidate for the opposition Socialist Party. The campaign has underscored the deep political divide in Moldova, with supporters emphasizing reform and anti-corruption credentials on one side and party-backed stability and regional interests on the other, as reported by election observers and local outlets.
Early indicators suggest turnout in the second round is already higher than the figures from the first round, reflecting renewed civic engagement and the high stakes of this runoff. Analysts note that the operational challenges in overseas polling places may influence voter confidence and participation, while local voting centers seek to maintain a smooth process amid heightened security concerns.
Stoianoglo has previously outlined the initial actions he would take if he were to win the presidency, signaling his readiness to pursue changes within the executive branch and the judiciary in alignment with his platform and allies within the Socialist Party. These statements have contributed to a polarized but highly engaged electoral atmosphere as Moldova approaches the final hours of the runoff.