Voters in Moldova cast their ballots in a presidential runoff election on Sunday. The focus is on whether people in the former Soviet republic seek continuation of pro-European Union policies.

The vote pits incumbent Maia Sandu, who has been promoting Moldova's participation in the EU, against Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general who seeks close ties with Russia.

Russia is accused of meddling in the election to try to prevent Moldova from joining the EU.

Moldovan police said last month that 39 million dollars had been transferred from a Russian bank to buy votes.

Sandu said at a polling station, "Thieves want to buy our votes, buy our country."

Russia has denied any intervention.

In the first round of the presidential election last month, Sandu came on top, leading the runner-up by more than 15 percentage points.

In the referendum on acceding to the EU held along with the election, Moldovans voted in favor of joining the bloc by a narrow margin.