Dodon's Votes Slip Below 50% in Moldovan Elections as 88% Votes Counted

Socialist Party’s presidential candidate Igor Dodon retains his advantage over the opponent with 49.94 percent as 88.6 percent of ballots have been counted, but is currently below the percentage necessary for the win, according to the Moldovan Central Election Commission (CEC).

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — To win in the first round of the elections, the candidate needs to secure 50 percent plus one vote. Otherwise, the country may have to hold the second round of the elections.

"Igor Dodon gains 49.94% or 589,980 of votes, Maia Sandu [gets] 36.85% or 435,411 votes," the CEC said in a statement issued on its website.