Moldovan Presidential Election: Postal Voting Concludes

High Voter Turnout Expected in Decisive Second Round

As the second round of Moldova's presidential election draws near, postal voting has concluded, with a significant number of citizens casting their ballots.

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) reported that over 150,000 Moldovan citizens residing abroad participated in postal voting, representing a substantial increase from the first round.

Key Contenders and Issues

The second round of the election will be held on November 15th and will feature the two top candidates from the first round: Maia Sandu and Igor Dodon.

Maia Sandu, the candidate of the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), has campaigned on a platform of fighting corruption and bringing Moldova closer to the European Union.

Igor Dodon, the incumbent president and candidate of the Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), has pledged to improve economic ties with Russia and promote traditional values.

High Stakes for Moldova's Future

The outcome of the second round of the election will have a significant impact on Moldova's future.

A victory for Sandu could lead to closer integration with the EU and a shift towards a more pro-Western foreign policy.

A victory for Dodon would likely result in continued close ties with Russia and a more conservative approach to social and economic issues.

International Observers to Monitor Election

The second round of the election will be closely monitored by international observers, including representatives from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union (EU).

The OSCE has deployed a long-term observation mission to Moldova and will provide a comprehensive assessment of the election process, including the conduct of postal voting.

The EU has also expressed its commitment to supporting free and fair elections in Moldova and will send a delegation of observers to monitor the second round of the presidential election.