CHISINAU, November 12. /TASS/. The Moldovan Foreign Ministry has handed a note of protest to Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov following allegations of election meddling.

"Today, the Foreign Ministry handed a note of strong protest over Russia’s illegal and deliberate interference in the electoral process in Moldova, which was aimed at distorting the results of the presidential election and the nation-wide referendum, as well as at undermining and delegitimizing democratic processes in Moldova, to Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov," the ministry said in a statement.

Ozerov said earlier that he had arrived at the Moldovan Foreign Ministry for a planned meeting and had not been summoned.

Moldova held its runoff presidential election on November 3. According to the country’s Central Election Commission, incumbent President Maia Sandu received 55.33% of the vote, while her rival, former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, gained 44.67%. Notably, Stoianoglo won the vote inside the country, garnering 51%. Moldovan Presidential Security Advisor Stanislav Secrieru accused Moscow of allegedly meddling in the runoff election.