Moldova issues protest note to Russia over unauthorized polling stations

Moldovan authorities have issued a protest note to the Russian Federation following plans to open multiple unauthorized polling stations in the Transnistrian region for the upcoming Russian State Duma elections.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mihai Popsoi stated that Chisinau has only authorized a single polling station, located at the Russian Embassy in Chisinau. He characterized the plan to open additional stations without the consent of Moldova’s constitutional authorities as an “unfriendly act.”

The move follows an announcement by Tiraspol separatist leader Vadim Krasnoselski, who indicated that 17 polling stations were intended to be opened in the Transnistrian region. The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian Ambassador, Oleg Ozerov, to deliver the protest and urged Russia to refrain from opening these stations. This situation mirrors a previous incident in March 2024, when six polling stations were opened in the region without Chisinau's agreement.