09/28/2025 

On Sunday, September 28, Moldova held parliamentary elections. Citizens elected 101 deputies for a four-year term. Polling stations were open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time.

The voting process was reported by the News Maker publication, as well as the country’s Central Election Commission. According to their data, the turnout as of 1:50 p.m. exceeded 30 percent, and voters aged 36 to 45 voted the most actively. Long lines were recorded in polling stations abroad, in particular in Brussels, Rome, Athens and Prague, and in total more than 80 thousand Moldovan citizens voted.

Processing of protocols

40% of votes have been preliminarily processed in the parliamentary elections in Moldova, the Central Election Commission (CEC) reports on the results of the processing of the first protocols.

The main struggle is between two political forces – the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), represented by President Maia Sandu, and the Patriotic Bloc, the pro-Russian opposition.

First turnout data

At 9:00 p.m., voting in all polling stations within the country ended in Moldova. The counting of votes began immediately after that. At the same time, the diaspora continues to vote, as a significant share of the electorate has been formed abroad in recent years – from 15 to 25%. Preliminary data indicate that the overall turnout was lower than during the second round of the 2024 presidential election.

The decline in voter turnout is most noticeable in traditionally pro-Russian regions:

• in Gagauzia, turnout fell from 51.9% to 45.3%,
• in Taraclia district – from 50.2% to 47.7%
• in Balti, 50.2% was recorded instead of the previous 52%.

The turnout was particularly sharp among voters in Transnistria, as polling stations were moved this time. In contrast, in regions where Maia Sandu is usually supported, the level of activity remained almost unchanged, which could be important for the final result.

The electoral process and reaction

Fifteen parties, four electoral blocs and four independent candidates participated in the elections. At the same time, the CEC did not allow the “Victory” bloc of fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor to participate in the race. The head of the commission, Angela Karaman, stated at a briefing that the voting was taking place calmly and without serious incidents.

President Maia Sandu has also already cast her vote. She stressed that Russian interference could pose risks for the country and even affect the situation in Ukraine. “If citizens do not mobilize enough, Moldova could lose everything it has gained,” she told reporters.

Police report

The country’s law enforcement agencies have reported suspicions of an organized transportation of voters from Russia to Belarus in order to influence the election results. This practice is contrary to national legislation, and the police have already launched an investigation. The agency called on citizens to refrain from participating in any illegal schemes and stressed its readiness to respond promptly to attempts at destabilization.

Separately, the president addressed the diaspora, urging it to maintain the European course and not allow “the future of Moldova to be stolen.” She emphasized that honest voting is the best way to protect the country.

Warning to security forces

The Moldovan police reported that immediately after the voting, law enforcement agencies conducted a special operation together with officers of the Information and Security Service and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. According to law enforcement, a criminal case is being investigated regarding the preparation of mass riots in Chisinau during the protest planned for tomorrow.

During the operation, three people were detained, including two brothers . According to the investigation, they worked for the security forces from the left bank of the Dniester and coordinated groups responsible for logistics, supplies and organizing possible provocations. During the searches, pyrotechnics and incendiary substances were found in their possession, which could be used to create chaos among people.

Law enforcement officers stressed that they have information about the intentions of certain groups to organize riots tonight and throughout the next day. The police called on citizens not to succumb to provocations and reminded that the organizers bear full responsibility for the consequences of the protests. At the same time, the authorities emphasized that they will not allow a threat to public safety or national stability.

Elections without exit polls

The Central Election Commission of Moldova decided on September 23 not to allow exit polls on the day of the parliamentary elections. The request to organize the survey came from the company Date inteligente, but the commission rejected it, explaining this by doubts about the funding and motives of the initiators.

The last time such polls were conducted in the country was during the second round of the 2020 presidential election. At that time, the public organization Spero and the company Intellect Group worked in hundreds of polling stations throughout Moldova. After that, no structure received permission from the CEC to conduct exit polls.

OBOZ.UA previously reported that the country’s President Maia Sandu stated that if Moscow manages to take control of the country, Moldova could become an infiltration site for the invasion of Russian troops into the Odessa region, and the Transnistrian region would be destabilized.

https://www.obozrevatel.com/ukr/novosti-mir/u-moldovi-zavershilos-golosuvannya-na-viborah-do-parlamentu-politsiya-zasteregla-vid-organizatsii-zavorushen.htm