Bucharest, 20 October 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Voters in Moldova will decide on the presidency and the country's direction towards the European Union on Sunday.

Pro-European President Maia Sandu is running for a second term.

She has also scheduled a referendum to enshrine its EU orientation in the constitution of Moldova, a largely agricultural country which was once a Soviet republic and is still heavily influenced by Russia.

Security authorities in the capital, Chișinău, uncovered disinformation and voter buying by pro-Russian forces in advance of the vote.

Moldova, situated between Romania and Ukraine, is an EU candidate country like Ukraine.

The 52-year-old Sandu is considered the favourite. According to recent polls, her approval ratings were around 36%.

However, given there are 11 candidates, including some advocating for strong economic relations with Russia, observers consider it likely that she will not achieve an absolute majority of votes in the first round.

In that case, a run-off election would be organized.

Moldova has around 2.5 million inhabitants.

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

The polling stations within the country are open from 7 am to 9 pm (0400-1800 GMT). Significant results are expected late in the evening.