Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Russian Election Sparks Moldova Dispute Over Transdniestria Voting
Russia is holding an election for its State Duma, or parliament.
Some people living in Transdniestria have Russian passports and want to vote.
Russia plans to open 15 polling stations there.
Moldova says this is not allowed because it does not control the region’s voting procedures.
Moldova says Russian citizens should vote only at the Russian embassy in Chisinau.
Russia says Moldova is acting against democracy and international law.
The disagreement has caused a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
Transdniestria broke away from Moldova and is not internationally recognized.
Russian troops are still stationed in the region.
Moldova opposes Russia’s plan to open 15 parliamentary-election polling stations in Transdniestria.
Moldova says Russian nationals may vote only at a polling station in Russia’s embassy in Chisinau.
Russia says about 220,000 Transdniestria residents hold Russian passports and should be allowed to vote.
Moldova summoned Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov and called the planned polling stations unacceptable and hostile.
Russia opened 27 polling stations in Transdniestria in 2021, where more than 59,000 people voted.
- Who
- The governments of Moldova and Russia, including Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihail Popsoi, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, and Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov.
- What
- A diplomatic dispute over Russia’s plan to open 15 polling stations for its parliamentary election in Transdniestria.
- When
- The dispute was reported on September 19; the Russian election was scheduled for Sunday.
- Where
- Transdniestria, a separatist region of Moldova, and Chisinau, where Moldova says voting should be limited to the Russian embassy.
- Why
- Moldova says it cannot oversee voting in Transdniestria and opposes actions that could interfere with the region’s peaceful reintegration, while Russia says residents with Russian passports are entitled to vote.
Moldova’s position
Russia’s position
Polling stations in Transdniestria
Moldova’s position
Moldova opposes any polling station in Transdniestria because it has no control over voting procedures there.
Russia’s position
Russia planned 15 polling stations so Russian nationals in the region could participate in the election.
Eligibility to vote
Moldova’s position
Moldova contests Russia’s estimate that 220,000 residents of Transdniestria hold Russian passports and says voting should be limited to the Russian embassy in Chisinau.
Russia’s position
Moscow says the residents hold Russian passports and are entitled to vote in the State Duma election.
Political implications
Moldova’s position
Moldova says Russia should not interfere with its plans for the peaceful reintegration of Transdniestria.
Russia’s position
Russia says Moldova’s objections run against democracy, international law, and common sense.
- Planned polling stations
- Russia planned to open 15 polling stations in Transdniestria.
- Moldova’s position
- Moldova says Russian nationals may vote only at one polling station in the Russian embassy in Chisinau.
- Russian passport holders
- Russia says about 220,000 Transdniestria residents hold Russian passports.
- Previous election
- Russia opened 27 polling stations in Transdniestria during the 2021 parliamentary election.
- 2021 turnout
- More than 59,000 voters cast ballots in Transdniestria in 2021.
- 2021 result
- United Russia received 76.2% of the vote in the region in 2021.
- Russian troops
- About 1,500 Russian troops remain stationed in Transdniestria.