OSCE notes interference from abroad in Moldova local elections

Days before the elections, Moldova's President Maia Sandu publicly accused Russia of "buying" voters by funneling money to pro-Russian political parties. The Chance party, linked to fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, whom authorities see as a proxy for Moscow, was barred from the elections on security grounds.

The Organization for Security And Co-Operation In Europe (OSCE) said on Monday that local elections in Moldova a day earlier were managed efficiently but that interference from abroad and restrictions due to security concerns had had a negative impact. OSCE called the elections peaceful.

"Interference from abroad and restrictive measures, imposed due to national security concerns on freedom of speech, association, and the right to compete, had a negative impact on the process," it said in a statement. Days before the elections, Moldova's President Maia Sandu publicly accused Russia of "buying" voters by funneling money to pro-Russian political parties. The Chance party, linked to fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, whom authorities see as a proxy for Moscow, was barred from the elections on security grounds.