DISINFO: Moldova's EU membership referendum rigged to make the 'yes' vote win
SUMMARY
Moldova's EU membership referendum was rigged to make the 'yes' vote win. After more than 80% of the votes were counted on October 20, it turned out that only 45% of Moldovans were in favour of European integration, while 55% were against it. However, on October 21 the referendum data changed dramatically: 50.03% of the votes were in favour of European integration, while 49.97% were against it. Such figures indicate falsification.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Moldova's EU membership referendum was falsified.
No evidence is provided to support the claim. According to the preliminary findings and conclusions of the OSCE’s International Election Observation Mission, “The 20 October presidential election and constitutional referendum [in Moldova] were well-managed and contestants campaigned freely in an environment characterized by concerns over illicit foreign interference and active disinformation efforts. […] The election administration worked professionally and demonstrated impartiality in their decision-making”.
It was Russia who tried to alter the results of the Moldovan election through a series of measures such as disinformation campaigns, buying votes, training Moldovan citizens in paramilitary camps to stage protests, and bussing voters to overseas polling stations. As this did not achieve the results expected by Moscow, pro-Kremlin outlets and Russian officials launched a baseless narrative about electoral fraud. See our article Moscow’s anger and plan for Moldova.
Responding to the referendum result, President Maia Sandu said pro-EU forces had won the first battle in a “difficult fight”, which she also called “unjust”.
EU spokesperson Peter Stano said on October 21 that the vote had taken place "under unprecedented interference and intimidation by Russia and its proxies".
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