Runoff of direct presidential elections starts in Moldova
11:42 | 13.11.2016 Category:
Chisinau, 13 November /MOLDPRES/- Runoff of the direct presidential elections started today in Moldova. Citizens of the country will have to elect between candidates who picked up the highest number of votes in the first round – leader of Party of Socialists Igor Dodon and leader of the Action and Solidarity Party Maia Sandu.
The about 2,000 polling stations were opened at 07:00 and will be closed at 21:00. About 2.8 million citizens are expected at polls. Over 3.1 million ballot papers have been prepared for the presidential elections.
The ballot paper comprises two quadrangles, each of them includes electoral symbol of contender, name of candidate written in capital letters and space for stamping.
Citizens eligible to vote residing abroad can vote at the 100 polling stations in 33 countries, 40 of them are operating at the diplomatic missions’ headquarters, and 60 – in other locations. Most polling stations are opened in Italy – 25, in Romania -11, Russia – 8, USA -7, France – 6, Portugal and Spain – 4 etc.
At the same time, other 30 polling stations were opened for Moldovans residing in the administrative-territorial units from the left bank of the Dniestre.
Citizens without residence can exercise their right to vote at the polling station of the last residence. These persons will be obliged to sign a declaration on own responsibility that they did not vote or will not vote at other station. Voters who will not be able to prove place of residence of the past will vote at any polling station in the country.
Over 4,600 national and international observers monitor the elections.
A number of 1440733 persons participated in the first round of elections, it means 50.95 per cent of voters. Igor Dodon (PSRM) picked up 47.98 per cent of votes, Maia Sandu (PAS) – 38.71 per cent, Dumitru Ciubasenco (PN) – 6.03 per cent, Iurie Leanca (PPEM) -3.11 per cent, Mihai Ghimpu (PL) -1.8 per cent, Valeriu Ghiletchi (independent candidate)- 1.08 per cent, Maia Laguta (independent candidate) -0.76 per cent, Silvia Radu (independent candidate)- 0.37 per cent and Ana Gutu (Right Party) – 0.17 per cent.
