**Moldova to Send Formal Protest to Russia Over Planned Duma Voting Stations in Transnistria**
*Chisinau, 2 September 2026* – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova announced that it will forward a note of protest to the Russian Federation after learning of Moscow’s plan to hold voting for the Russian State Duma elections in 17 locations on Moldovan‑claimed territory.
According to the information received, only one of the proposed polling stations – the Russian Embassy in Chisinau – has been authorized by Moldovan authorities. The remaining 16 stations are slated to be set up in the breakaway region of Transnistria, which is internationally recognized as part of Moldova but remains under de facto Russian‑backed control.
Moldovan officials described the plan as a violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The note of protest, which will be dispatched through diplomatic channels, is intended to formally object to the organization of Russian elections on Moldovan soil without the consent of the Moldovan government.
The Russian Central Election Commission has not yet commented on the specifics of the proposed polling stations. No further details have been released regarding the timeline for the voting or the logistical arrangements for the 16 stations in Transnistria.
The development follows ongoing tensions between Chisinau and Moscow over the status of Transnistria and the broader issue of Russian electoral activities in neighboring states. Moldova’s diplomatic response underscores its position that any election-related activities must be conducted in full compliance with its national laws and with the explicit approval of its authorities.
