Moldovans cast their ballots in two key votes Sunday that could determine whether the European Union candidate country, which neighbors Ukraine, remains on a pro-Western path amid allegations that Russia has tried to undermine the electoral process.
Incumbent President Maia Sandu was the favorite to secure another term in office in a presidential race in which 11 candidates were running. Voters will also choose "yes" or "no" in a referendum on whether to enshrine in the country's constitution its path toward the 27-nation EU.
Polls by WatchDog, a Chisinau-based think tank, showed a clear majority of more than 50 support the EU path. The referendum needed a one-third turnout to be valid.
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. 0400 GMT and are expected to close at 9 p.m. 1800 GMT. By 7 p.m., more than 1.4 million voters - about 49 of eligible voters - had cast ballots, according to the Central Electoral Commission. By 6 p.m., 42 had voted in the EU referendum, passing the validation threshold.
If Sandu fails to win an outright majority Sunday, a runoff will be held on Nov. 3, which could pit her against Alexandr Stoianoglo, a Russia-friendly former prosecutor general who is polling at around 10.
