Moscow criticizes Moldova's electoral authority for allocating 100,000 ballots to 500,000 voters in Russia

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Moscow criticized the Moldovan electoral authority on Wednesday for allocating 100,000 ballots to half a million Moldovans living in Russia, accusing it of using "fraudulent political techniques" to violate the diaspora's democratic rights in this month's elections.

At a press briefing in Moscow, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Moldovan Central Election Commission has allocated only 100,000 ballots for two polling stations in Russia, limiting the ability of the 500,000 Moldavian diaspora to vote in the presidential election on October 20.

Referring to a recent statement from the Moldovan Central Election Commission, which announced a reduction in the number of polling stations in Russia from five to two and the number of ballots to 100,000, Zakharova stressed that it will be insufficient for half a million people to exercise their right to vote.

In previous elections, the Moldovan government opened approximately 20 polling stations for its citizens living in Russia, she asserted.

"Now there are only two, a tenfold decrease," the diplomat lamented about suppressing Moldovan citizens' rights to vote.

Zakharova contrasted this situation with Moldova's electoral preparations in Italy, where 60 polling stations will be set up and 240,000 ballots will be distributed to 100,000 Moldovans living there.

She described the Moldovan electoral authority’s decision as an example of "fraudulent political techniques," indicating the current government's "uncertainty about securing victory and a disregard for democratic principles and procedures."

Moldova's presidential elections are scheduled for October 20, coinciding with a referendum on the country's entry into the European Union. The Moldovan Constitution states that the head of state is elected for a four-year term.