Moldovan electoral body registers 49.3 per cent of voters

Chisinau, 31 October /MOLDPRES/- A number of 1,436 million voters (49.3 per cent) participated in the 30 October presidential elections. The Central Election Commission (CEC) made the statement today after processing 99.42 per cent of the reports.

CEC head Alina Russu said 1,326 million electors had voted on the basic lists, and on additional lists – other 109,619 citizens.

“The highest rate of voter turnout was registered in Chisinau, 352,585 electors (54.3 per cent). In Cantemir district 19,981 voters participated in ballot, which represents slightly over 40 per cent. About 67,150 voters participated in the ballot at the polling stations opened abroad. The most active participation was registered in Italy – 21,904 voters, Romania – 9,440, France – 5,139, Russia – 4,158 electors,” Russu said.

At the same time, the CEC head said “the lowest turnout of voters on the age category was registered on people over 71 years, followed by electors aged between 18-25 years, slightly over 10 per cent. The most active electors eligible to vote were citizens aged between 56-70 years, more than 28 per cent. According to gender component, 675,511 are men (slightly over 47 per cent) and 760,729 are women (over 53 per cent).

The constituency councils are offered 48 hours after closing polling stations in order to present report on results of district elections. Presently, two constituency councils are processing electoral documents.

To be elected president from the first round of ballot, the electoral contender had to pick up at least a half of votes. Under the CEC results, candidate Igor Dodon (PSRM) gained 48.26 per cent, Maia Sandu (PAS, PPDA, PLDM) – 38.42 per cent, Dumitru Ciubasenco (PN) – 6.01 per cent, Iurie Leanca (PPEM) – 3.11 per cent, Mihai Ghimpu (PL) – 1.81 per cent, Valeriu Ghiletchi (independent candidate) -1.06 per cent, Maia Laguta (independent candidate) – 0.75 per cent, Silvia Radu (independent candidate) – 0.4 per cent and Ana Gutu (Right Party) – 0.17 per cent.

Candidate for president position on behalf of the Party of Socialists Igor Dodon and candidate of PAS, PPDA and PLDM Maia Sandu will compete in the runoff.