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| Moldova Communists 'lead in poll' | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Preliminary results from Moldova's parliamentary election suggest the ruling Communist Party has won just over 50% of the vote. | |
| But it remains unclear whether they will have the three-fifths majority required to elect a new president. | |
| The poll was the second parliamentary election in four months, with memories still fresh of the violence that followed the first poll. | |
| Earlier exit polls had suggested a slump in support for the Communists. | |
| With 11% of votes counted, the Communist Party, which has been in government since 2001, had secured 54% of the vote. It is yet to be seen whether the party has the critical 61 seats it needs to be able to elect a president. | |
| Four of the seven opposition parties also appear to have won seats in parliament, but would have to form a coalition to govern, if they collectively have more votes than the Communists. | |
| Outgoing President Vladimir Voronin, who is standing down after two terms in office, said the voting had been conducted in a democratic manner. | |
| "This is the most important achievement - that we were able to organise civilised and democratic elections," he said. | |
| The BBC's Tom Esslemont in the capital Chisinau, says this election was always going to be on a knife edge. | |
| The five most popular parties have campaigned for closer ties with the European Union, but critics of the Communist Party say it has failed to act on its promises during eight years in power and it is time for change and modernisation, says our correspondent. | |
| Monitors withdrawn | |
| The 29 July vote is a re-run of April's disputed election | |
| Opposition parties claim the first election, held in April, was rigged in favour of the Communists. | |
| The result, in Europe's poorest country, prompted thousands of people to take to the streets, clashing with police and storming parliament. | The result, in Europe's poorest country, prompted thousands of people to take to the streets, clashing with police and storming parliament. |
| Assessments of April's vote were mixed. Some international observers reported flaws but others found it generally fair. | Assessments of April's vote were mixed. Some international observers reported flaws but others found it generally fair. |
| Mr Voronin had said the Moldovan security forces would not allow violence after this election. | |
| More than 3,000 foreign and Moldovan observers were supposed to be monitoring Wednesday's re-run, though one group pulled its 140 monitors out because some were barred, causing a storm of protest. | More than 3,000 foreign and Moldovan observers were supposed to be monitoring Wednesday's re-run, though one group pulled its 140 monitors out because some were barred, causing a storm of protest. |
| The Central Electoral Committee said the voting rate was ahead of that in April, and that a third of voters had posted ballots by early afternoon. | The Central Electoral Committee said the voting rate was ahead of that in April, and that a third of voters had posted ballots by early afternoon. |
| The Communist Party won only 60 of parliament's 101 seats in April - one short of the 61 seats needed to elect a new president. The opposition parties united to make sure the 61 target was not met, forcing parliament to be dissolved. | The Communist Party won only 60 of parliament's 101 seats in April - one short of the 61 seats needed to elect a new president. The opposition parties united to make sure the 61 target was not met, forcing parliament to be dissolved. |
| Coalition pledge | Coalition pledge |
| Opinion polls this month suggested a drop in support for the Communists. | Opinion polls this month suggested a drop in support for the Communists. |
| 'Lenin! Lenin!' they chanted, but their T-shirts carried the EU logo Divided as ever over new poll Q&A: Moldovan election | |
| One voter, 19-year-old Sasha from the capital Chisinau, said: "I am for the Communists. They create a certain stability. We can't continue like this, with demonstrations and repeat elections." | One voter, 19-year-old Sasha from the capital Chisinau, said: "I am for the Communists. They create a certain stability. We can't continue like this, with demonstrations and repeat elections." |
| But Andreea Gaibu, 28, said: "We urgently need change. We need a free press and a free economy." | But Andreea Gaibu, 28, said: "We urgently need change. We need a free press and a free economy." |
| In Wednesday's vote, at least three opposition parties hope to join the Communist Party in parliament - the Liberal Party, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Our Moldova Alliance. | In Wednesday's vote, at least three opposition parties hope to join the Communist Party in parliament - the Liberal Party, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Our Moldova Alliance. |
| They have pledged to create a ruling coalition if they collectively gain enough votes. | They have pledged to create a ruling coalition if they collectively gain enough votes. |
| They have also said that they will co-operate with the Communist Party in the new parliament if the "early election is fair, democratic and transparent". | They have also said that they will co-operate with the Communist Party in the new parliament if the "early election is fair, democratic and transparent". |
| Mr Voronin's successor will lead a country where the average wage is just under $250 (£151) a month, and will inherit an unresolved conflict over the breakaway region of Trans-Dniester. | Mr Voronin's successor will lead a country where the average wage is just under $250 (£151) a month, and will inherit an unresolved conflict over the breakaway region of Trans-Dniester. |