The tight finish - with fewer than 1.5% of the ballots still to be counted - is far from a resounding endorsement of the pro-EU path that Sandu has pursued

A referendum on Moldova joining the EU hung in the balance early Monday with almost all votes counted, as President Maia Sandu blamed an "unprecedented assault on our country's freedom and democracy" in a vote marred by fears of Russian meddling amid the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

In Moldova, the processing of voter protocols for the presidential election and the constitutional referendum on Euro-integration is nearing completion. Incumbent President Maia Sandu is receiving the majority of votes;

Moldova narrowly leaned towards joining the European Union with 50.17% voting 'yes' amid allegations of external interference. The simultaneous presidential election saw President Maia Sandu advancing to a run-off with 42% of the vote.

CHISINAU: Moldovans on Sunday (Oct 20) voted against the ex-Soviet republic joining the EU in a referendum, according to partial results published by the election commission, a potential setback for pro-European President Maia Sandu as she seeks re-election.

If no candidate wins a majority, a second round of voting will take place on Nov. 3. Incumbent President Maia Sandu will likely face off against her main competitor, Alexandr Stoianoglo, who captured approximately 28 percent of the vote in the first round.

The run-up was overshadowed by Moldovan allegations of election meddling by fugitive tycoon Ilan Shor who lives in Russia. Moscow has denied interfering, while Shor denies wrongdoing.

Moldovans vote on Sunday in a presidential election and EU referendum at a pivotal moment that could bolster the small agricultural economy's drive to join the European Union, after allegations of Russian election meddling.

Multiple U.S. agencies are supporting the Moldovan government in defending against cyberattacks and disinformation from Russia aimed at interfering in Moldovan elections this weekend.

Moldovans vote on Sunday in a presidential election and a referendum on joining the European Union, with fears of Russian meddling in the two key electoral tests amid the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Presidential elections will be held in Moldova on October 20. Moldovan authorities are observing intensified Russian hybrid actions before the elections, which are undermining the pro-Western government's policy and portraying the EU in a negative light.