CHISINAU, March 11. /TASS/. Moldova’s foreign ministry has summoned the Russian ambassador following media reports alleging that Russia plans to open polling stations in the unrecognized republic of Transnistria at Russian presidential election on March 17.

"Russian Ambassador to Chisinau Oleg Vasnetsov has been summoned to the foreign ministry. During the meeting, the Russian diplomat will be informed about Moldova’s disagreement with the decision to open polling stations in Moldova’s Transnistrian region," the ministry wrote on its Telegram channel.

Transnistria’s Novosti Pridnestrovya agency reported earlier today that the Russian embassy allegedly plans to open six polling station on the Dniester left bank.

However, the embassy’s spokesman, Anatoly Loshakov, told TASS that only one polling station will be opened in Chisinau.

During Russia’s previous presidential election in March 2018, twenty-seven polling station were organized in Moldova and twenty-four more in Transnistria.

Moldova’s relations with Russia became strained after Maia Sandu’s Party of Action and Solidarity came to power in 2021. They further worsened in 2022 when Moscow blamed Chisinau for unfriendly actions and Moldova accused Russia of interfering into its domestic affairs. Moldova expelled several dozen Russian embassy employees and Russia took response measures.

Russia’s Federation Council, or upper house of parliament, has scheduled the presidential election for March 17, 2024. Voting will take place over three days - on March 15, 16 and 17. Thus, it will be the first three-day election for Russia’s president.