Ludmila Vizdoagă votes first at Tokyo polling station
The first polling station was opened in Tokyo, Japan, and the first Moldovan woman to cast her vote was Ludmila Vizdoagă, who has lived in the diaspora for 19 years.
Members of the polling station greeted the initial voters, who were dressed in traditional attire, as if it were a celebration. At the opening of the station, the national anthem was performed.
Ludmila Vizdoagă, originally from the village of Telița in the Anenii Noi district, has resided in South Korea for 19 years. She travelled 1,300 kilometres to Tokyo specifically to cast her vote. Despite being far from her homeland, she closely follows all events occurring in the Republic of Moldova.
"In recent years, I have been pleased to witness many positive changes in our country. That is why today I decided to come from South Korea to Japan, to Tokyo, to express my desire and hope that our country will continue this beautiful path toward development, progress, and a better life," said Ludmila Vizdoagă.
Ludmila Vizdoagă also encouraged her fellow citizens to follow her example.
"I invite all of you who love your country and your people to come today, gather at polling stations, and express your desire and hope for the beautiful future of our country. Let us all go; I invite you all to participate and help shape the future of our nation, so that we are in step with the world," the Moldovan woman urged.
For the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum, 231 polling stations are open overseas. The Central Electoral Commission has decided to establish polling stations in 37 countries. The highest number of stations has been set up in Italy, with 60 stations; in Germany, there are 26; in France, 20; and in Great Britain, 17 polling stations.
In Romania, there are 16 polling stations, the same number as in the United States. In the Russian Federation and Ukraine, two polling stations have been established in each country. Moldovan citizens abroad can vote at any polling station, regardless of their status in the host country.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
