Moldova's incumbent President Sandu leads presidential runoff

Moldova's incumbent President Maia Sandu led the country's presidential election runoff with 54.19 percent of the votes, as most ballots have been counted by Monday morning, reported Xinhua, quoting local media reports.

Former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, the president's main contender for the next four-year presidential term, trailed with 45.81 percent, as reported by the country's Central Electoral Commission after counting 97.8 percent of the votes.

"I voted with Moldova, I have confidence that our citizens will choose well for our country. Today, more than ever, we must stand together, keep our peace, keep our vote, keep our independence," said Sandu. As the former leader of the Party of Action and Solidarity, she got the most votes in the first round of the election.

Stoianoglo, who is supported by Moldova's Socialist Party, expressed his commitment to "a free, stable, prosperous Moldova" and emphasized his support for the country's path to European integration.

After the presidential election on Oct. 20, Moldova moved to a runoff election between the top two candidates, as none of the 11 candidates in the presidential race received an absolute majority of the votes -- defined as 50 percent plus one vote -- in the first round.