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Moldova Votes in Pivotal Parliamentary Election as Officials Allege Massive Russian Meddling

Officials describe cyberattacks, vote‑buying, organized transports and party bans—a test of Moldova’s election defenses.

Overview

  • Polling is underway with results expected overnight, as the pro‑European PAS leads surveys but risks losing its absolute majority.
  • President Maia Sandu accuses Moscow of channeling hundreds of millions in financing to influence the vote through bribery and recruited operatives.
  • Security officials link a large vote‑buying network to exiled oligarch Ilan Shor, citing tens of thousands of enrolled participants and payment schemes routed via Russian banking apps.
  • Authorities report organized voter transports by buses and charter flights, including routes linked to Russia, Belarus, Turkey and Azerbaijan, and flag illegal bussing from Transnistria.
  • Election bodies and police cite 16 million cyberattack attempts and bomb threats against overseas polling sites, after pre‑vote raids and the exclusion of two pro‑Russian parties over financing violations.