Moldova's Top Court Orders Vote Recount Of November Poll

Vladimir Voronin, leader of the Communist Party

Moldova's Constitutional Court today ordered a recount of the ballots cast in the November 28 parliamentary election.

The court made the decision following a request for a recount filed December 6 by the Communist Party. The Communists, who came first in the poll but failed to gain the needed majority to elect a president, alleged errors in vote counting.

Communist Party leader and former President Vladimir Voronin claimed that there were "massive irregularities," such as multiple voting, but international and domestic observers have called the ballot fair and free.

The Communists won 42 seats in the election. A three-party, pro-European alliance won 59 seats but fell two short of the 61 needed to elect a new president.

The Central Electoral Commission now has seven days to recount the vote.

compiled from agency reports