Early results based on a fraction of the vote showed 56% of Moldovans voting "no" at Sunday's referendum on their EU aspirations and put incumbent Maia Sandu just a few percentage points ahead of her rival at the presidential election.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has reported an unprecedented threat to the integrity of the country's presidential election and EU referendum. Allegations have surfaced that criminal groups with foreign backing attempted to purchase up to 300,

Moldova's upcoming presidential election and EU referendum on Oct. 20 are seen as critical in determining its future direction toward European Union integration.