Moldovan president denounces violations: extent of fraud unprecedented

Chișinău, Oct 21 /MOLDPRES/- President Maia Sandu announced during a briefing that on election day and in recent months, Moldova has faced an attack on democracy. "The extent of the fraud was unprecedented. We are awaiting the final results and will make decisions accordingly," Maia Sandu said.

The President said that Moldova has faced with an unprecedented attack on democracy today and in recent months.

"Criminal groups, along with foreign forces hostile to us, attacked our country with tens of millions of euros, propaganda, and the most despicable means to push our nation into a zone of instability. We have evidence and information that the criminal group's target was to buy 300,000 votes. The scale of the fraud was unprecedented. The aim was to undermine a democratic exercise. We will not give up on defending freedom and democracy," Maia Sandu said.

The President said that the authorities are waiting for the final election results and will make further decisions.

On October 20, presidential elections and constitutional referendum on Moldova's accession to the European Union were held.

After counting 1,277,683 votes (91.89% of reports), 46.71% (597,201) of voters supported Moldova's EU accession, while 53.28% (681,415) were against it.

According to preliminary results, after processing 1,318,195 votes (90% of reports), current President Maia Sandu has got 38.22% (504,133) of the votes, followed by Socialist candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo with 28.59% (377,433) of the votes. Our Party leader Renato Usatîi ranks third with 13.70% (181,199) of the votes.

A total of 1,559,778 voters participated in the elections, or 51.62%, according to data published after the polling stations closed.