Moldova holds local elections overshadowed by accusations of Russian interference

abcnews.go.com:

Moldovans cast ballots in nationwide local elections amid claims by Moldovan authorities that Russia has been conducting “hybrid warfare” to undermine the vote in the European Union candidate country

CHISINAU, Moldova — Moldovans cast ballots in nationwide local elections on Sunday as authorities say that Russia has been conducting “hybrid warfare” to undermine the vote in the European Union candidate country.

While local elections in Moldova, a country of about 2.5 million people situated between Romania and Ukraine, wouldn't usually garner much international attention, ongoing accusations of Russian meddling add a geopolitical dimension to the vote.

Sunday’s ballot will elect nearly 900 mayors and 11,000 local councilors for a four-year term, including key positions such as mayor of the capital, Chisinau. The ballot was monitored by around 1,500 national and international observers. After polls closed at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT; 2 p.m. EST), turnout stood at 41% nationwide, according to the Central Electoral Commission. That figure is nearly identical to the one in the previous local elections in 2019.

Two days before the election, Moldova Prime Minister Dorin Recean announced a ban on candidates from the pro-Russia Chance Party. On Friday, Moldova’s national intelligence agency published a report alleging that Russia was trying to “influence the electoral process” through the party. About 600 candidates will be affected.

“We are protecting the Republic of Moldova from a well-organized network of criminals. An organized criminal group is removed from the elections, not a political party," Recean said on Friday during a media briefing.

The Intelligence and Security Service, SIS, alleged in its 32-page report that the Chance