Chișinău, 3 November 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Voters in Moldova are set to decide on the presidency when they cast their ballots in a run-off vote on Sunday.

Pro-European President Maia Sandu is running for a second term, but failed to secure an absolute majority in the first round of voting a fortnight ago.

The 52-year-old head of state garnered 42.45% of votes on October 20, leading the pack of a total of 11 candidates.

Her biggest rival and former attorney general Alexandr Stoianoglo, the candidate of the traditionally strong Socialist Party of pro-Russian ex-president Igor Dodon, came in second with 25.98%.

Despite the considerable margin between Sandu and Stoianoglo, the outcome of Sunday's run-off vote is considered open.

Moldova, a largely agricultural country situated between Romania and Ukraine, is a candidate for EU membership like Ukraine.

While Sandu is considered the favourite to win the presidency, she has also faced criticism over lack of economic and social progress in the country of some 2.5 million.

Stoianoglo, 57, advocates for Moldova to both pursue the path to EU accession and maintain good economic ties with Russia.

His opponents consider him to be a puppet of corrupt oligarchs.

Security authorities in Chișinău recently said they uncovered a cash-for-votes scheme by pro-Russian forces in advance of the October 20 vote.

However, a referendum to enshrine the country's EU orientation in the constitution of Moldova, scheduled by Sandu for the same day as the first round of voting, was narrowly backed by voters.

Also called to the polls in the second round of voting are hundreds of thousands of Moldovans living abroad — mainly in the EU — as well as those within the breakaway Russian-controlled region of Transnistria.

Polling stations within the country are open from 7 am to 9 pm (0500-1900 GMT). Significant results are expected late in the evening.

Photo: EPA