In the run-up to the second round of the presidential elections in Moldova, several buses arrived from Russia carrying Moldovan citizens, specifically organized to transport voters. The information about the arrival of these organized trips has been confirmed by the General Inspectorate of Police, as reported by TV8.
The police reported that groups of voters were transported without official transportation contracts, raising suspicions of support for their transportation in the interests of certain parties. At the same time, since they are Moldovan citizens, they were allowed to cross the border without obstruction.
The IPN agency, citing sources in the customs service and border police, specified that about 150 citizens arrived on three buses, having taken a complex route. They flew from Russia to Istanbul, where they transferred to Moldovan buses that took them to Bulgaria, from where they were transferred to Bulgarian buses for the further journey to the border with Moldova at the Kagul-Oansea checkpoint. According to sources, the passengers did not pay for either the flight or the bus transportation, and it turned out that they were offered a free trip to participate in the elections.
In the first round of the elections, there were large queues at polling stations in Russia, which drew the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova. Representatives of the Ministry suggested that the queues could have been the result of organized transportation of citizens to the polling stations.
The second round of the elections is taking place today, November 3, featuring the incumbent president Maia Sandu and the candidate from the pro-Russian Socialists, Alexander Stoianoglo.