Turnout of Moldova's parliamentary elections lower than 2014 elections

Less than 46 percent of voters had cast their ballots for the parliamentary elections in Moldova by 6:30 p.m. local time Sunday, lower than the 51 percent at the same time point back in 2014.

According to the live data released by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), some 1.34 million of Moldovans, or 45.5 percent of the voters, have cast their ballots so far.

Some 2.8 million voters of the Republic of Moldova are called on Sunday to elect the new parliament in a poll held simultaneously with a referendum on the reduction of the number of deputies.

For the first time in the history of the country, the 101 lawmakers are elected based on the mixed electoral system under which 50 deputies are elected based on party lists in the national constituency, while the other 51 are elected in 51 single-member constituencies.

Also on Sunday, the voters will participate in a consultative referendum to say whether they agree to cut the number of deputies from 101 to 61 and whether they back the idea that the people can dismiss lawmakers, if they fail to fulfill their duties.

As many as 14 political parties and an electoral bloc compete in the current poll. In order to enter parliament, the parties must exceed 6 percent of the total votes and the electoral blocs 8 percent.

Most of the state high-ranking officials and the party leaders completed their voting in the morning.

"If the people vote for another government to come tomorrow, the situation will change," President Igor Dodon said after voting in the elections, pointing out that 80 percent of the voters are not satisfied with the state of affairs and the largest part of people say things in the country go wrong.

In his turn, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said: "I voted for the Democrats' team who demonstrated the fact that they're capable of governing a country and we achieved good results in short period."

"We hope to have a parliamentary majority and we will have a government to ensure the stability in the country and to develop Moldova," said Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu, also the vice chairman of the ruling Democratic Party.

After voting, Maia Sandu, co-president of the electoral bloc NOW, told the media that time has come to bring things in order in the country until it is not too late.

"A group of thieves who captured the state institutions and use them daily against us...is dangerous for the county. It is our chance and duty to save the country," said Sandu. Meanwhile, 325 electoral contestants are fighting for the seats of deputies in the 51 uninominal constituencies. 269 are supported by parties, and 56 are independent.

The latest estimates released Tuesday by the Intelligent Data Company showed that the Party of Socialists, which favors friendly ties with Russia, would win 47 seats in total, followed with 26 seats by the center-right electoral bloc "NOW".

The "NOW" bloc brings together two parties favoring the European Union and NATO membership, and the ruling Democratic Party with 24 mandates.

The Sor party of Mayor Ilan Sor would be the last party to pass the threshold of the parliament with 4 deputies.