Moldova bars Heart of Moldova and Moldova Mare from Sunday vote

Moldova's Central Electoral Commission on Friday barred two pro-Russian parties from taking part in Sunday’s parliamentary vote, a move officials said followed evidence of illegal financing and vote-buying and that comes amid wider allegations of a Kremlin campaign to sway the election. The commission excluded the Heart of Moldova and Moldova Mare after a court restricted the Heart of Moldova’s activity and authorities said investigations uncovered undeclared foreign funds and voter bribery.

The decisions remove Heart of Moldova candidates from the Russia-friendly Patriotic Electoral Bloc and give the bloc 24 hours to redraw candidate lists to meet legal representation thresholds, the commission said. Officials also said their findings will be sent to the justice ministry for further examination. Authorities have linked the groups to organized networks accused of channeling illicit funding into Moldova’s electoral system.

The moves deepen an already polarized contest in which the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity, led by President Maia Sandu, faces a challenge to its parliamentary majority. Sandu has framed the election as a make-or-break moment for Moldova’s bid to...