Moldova's foreign ministry on high number of voters reported at polling stations in Russia

Chisinau, Oct 20 /MOLDPRES/- Ministry of Foreign Affairs today reacted to the large number of voters reported at two polling stations in the Russian Federation. The institution noted that it "anticipated the possibility of crowding as a result of attempts to organize illegal transportation of voters to polling stations".

"In preparing for the electoral exercise, we warned the Russian authorities about attempts by some entities to organize transportation of citizens to polling stations of our embassy in Moscow. Thus, we believe that the crowds at the two polling stations in Russia have been artificially created in order to jeopardize the electoral process. In this regard, we repeatedly draw the attention of the Russian authorities and any entities to the inadmissibility of illegal transportation of voters to polling stations," the MAE said.

The polling stations in the Russian Federation opened at 07.00 local time and are functioning normally. They are equipped with the maximum number of ballot papers - 5,000 for each polling station.

"The decision to open polling stations in the Russian Federation only in the Embassy premises was taken as a result of the inability to meet in other cities/locations all security requirements, so as to ensure that there will be no dangers for our citizens who will come to vote and election employees who will ensure the organization of the process," the press release issued by the MAE reads.

The Republic of Moldova is holding today elections for Head of State and a republican constitutional referendum on the country's accession to the European Union. 2,219 polling stations have been set up, of which 1,988 are open in Moldova and 231 abroad.