Moldovan election: Sandu's team already celebrating victory after 98.6% of votes counted
Photo: President of Moldova Maia Sandu (Getty images)
On November 3, Moldova held a second round of presidential elections. According to preliminary data, after counting 98.6% of the protocols, incumbent President Maia Sandu secured victory, leading her opponent from the Socialist Party, Alexandru Stoianoglo, by approximately 10%, according to Newsmaker.
Sandu, already claiming victory, commented on the preliminary election results. She stated that Moldova has triumphed and that the country's citizens have given a lesson in democracy, worthy of being written in history books.
The president declared that Moldova demonstrated its will and strength through the vote of each individual. He stated that they proved that, united, they could overcome those who sought to humiliate them. He noted that Moldova faced an unprecedented attack in the history of Europe, including dirty money, illegal vote-buying, interference in electoral processes by criminal groups, and the spread of hatred and fear in society. However, he emphasized that the people united and the citizens prevailed.
Maia Sandu also addressed voters in Russian, expressing her gratitude to each Moldovan who came out to vote. She acknowledged that she heard the voices of both those who supported her and those who voted for Mr. Stoianoglo. She committed to being a president for all citizens and stated that in their choice of a worthy future, no one loses. She emphasized the need for the unification of society.
As a reminder, Moldova held a second round of presidential elections on November 3. Maia Sandu was supported by 42.45% of voters instead of the minimum 50% required to win the first round.
In the lead-up to the second round, Moldovan citizens began receiving anonymous death threat messages en masse.
Throughout the day on November 3, while the Central Electoral Commission was counting votes within Moldova, Stoianoglo led in the race. The situation began to shift after counting votes from polling stations abroad commenced.
