Moldovans are participating in nationwide local elections on Sunday, as authorities raise concerns about alleged Russian interference in the electoral process. The European Union candidate country is set to elect nearly 900 mayors and 11,000 local councilors for four-year terms, including crucial positions such as the mayor of the capital city, Chisinau. The presence of ongoing accusations of Russian meddling adds a geopolitical dimension to the vote.

A total of approximately 1,500 national and international observers will monitor the electoral process. However, two days prior to the election, Prime Minister Dorin Recean imposed a ban on candidates from the pro-Russia Chance Party. Moldova's national intelligence agency, in a report published on Friday, accused Russia of attempting to "influence the electoral process" through the party. This ban is estimated to affect around 600 candidates.

According to the 32-page report by the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS), the Chance Party allegedly received approximately 50 million euros ($53 million) of Russian funds. These funds, funneled by exiled Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, were supposedly intended to destabilize the country and manipulate voters in Sunday's election. Shor, who resides in Israel, responded to the ban with a Facebook post criticizing it as an "unprecedented, illegal, raiding power grab," and presented a list of alternative candidate endorsements.

President Maia Sandu, addressing the ban imposed on the Chance Party, emphasized the importance of abiding by the law and democratic standards during elections. Sandu stated that those who engage in illegal practices, including voter bribery and the use of illicit funds, do not meet democratic expectations.

While local issues dominate the election, the country's geopolitical stance and ties with the European Union and Russia are part of the overall discourse. Cristian Cantir, an associate professor of international relations, highlighted the polarized nature of Moldova from a geopolitical standpoint. He explained that the debate in the election revolves around pro-EU and anti-EU messaging, adding that the SIS report, which implicates Shor and the Kremlin, is compelling evidence of attempts to undermine the electoral process.

Moldova has faced a range of challenges since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These include a severe energy crisis due to reduced gas supplies from Moscow, soaring inflation, and the discovery of missile debris from the neighboring conflict on Moldovan territory. Formerly the head of the now-unconstitutional Shor Party, which has been accused of attempting to destabilize the country, Shor has consistently aligned with Russian interests.

In late October, Moldovan authorities blocked numerous Russian media sites, including Russia Today, amidst accusations of running disinformation campaigns against Moldova. Additionally, several local television stations allegedly linked to Shor and exiled oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc had their broadcast licenses suspended for engaging in disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing the local elections and promoting pro-Russian geopolitical narratives.

Moldova achieved EU candidate status on June 23, 2022, aligning itself with Ukraine's simultaneous candidacy. The history of Russian attempts to undermine democratic processes in Moldova has been an ongoing concern. The extent to which they may have succeeded in tainting the current local elections remains to be seen.