Russia opens unauthorised polling stations in Transnistria, defying Moldovan protests

On Sunday 20 September, despite protests from the constitutional authorities of Moldova, polling stations opened for elections to the lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, in the unrecognised state of Transnistria.

Source: European Pravda, citing Newsmaker

Details: Over 21,000 people had voted by 12:00. The only polling station whose opening was agreed upon with the Moldovan authorities is located at the Russian embassy in Chișinău.

The polling stations in Transnistria opened at 08:00 and will close at 20:00. The so-called head of Transnistria, Vadim Krasnoselsky, also took part in the voting.

For reference: In the temporarily occupied part of Kherson Oblast, Russia is holding sham State Duma elections with the help of themed polling stations styled after different periods of history – from the Russian Empire to the post-war USSR.

Background:

• Krasnoselsky said earlier that 17 polling stations would open in Transnistria during Russia's September elections.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova stated in response that it is unacceptable for Russia to open polling stations in Transnistria for the State Duma elections without the consent of Moldova's constitutional authorities.
• In early September, Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov was summoned to the Moldovan Foreign Ministry and handed a note of protest.

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