CNN —Moldova’s crucial referendum on joining the European Union is too close to call, partial results showed Monday, as President Maia Sandu condemned an “unprecedented assault” on the country’s democracy. With just over 1.4% of ballots still to be counted, 50.2% had voted “yes” in the referendum, according to the country’s Central Election Commission. The tight margin would come as a blow to Sandu, who had been hoping for a clear endorsement of the pro-EU path she has charted during her first presidential term. Vadim Ghirda/APCNN reported last week on the efforts of a Kremlin-linked network, spearheaded by the exiled Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, to buy votes in Moldova, aiming to sway the results of the EU referendum. If other pro-Russian parties and voters throw their support behind Stoianoglo, the November 3 run-off could be extremely tight.

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Persons: CNN —, Maia Sandu, Sandu, ” Sandu, Vadim Ghirda, Ilan Shor, Shor, Alexandr Stoianoglo – Organizations: CNN, European, Commission, EU, Moldovan, AP CNN, Russian Party of Socialists Locations: European Union, Soviet, Hrusevo, Moldova