The candidate of Ravnopravie Movement (Shor Party) Inna Popenko was excluded officially from the race for the presidency. The Central Election Commission announced this on October 22, following a judgment whereby the Supreme Court of Justice annulled the CEC’s decision to register the candidate, IPN reports.

A protest in support of Inna Popenko had been mounted for over two hours in front of the Supreme Court of Justice on October 22. Inna Popenko came before the crowd and said different bodies become involved in the decision-making process and the government protects its own candidates for the office of President who, according to her, are Igor Dodon (PSRM), Maia Sandu (PAS), and Marian Lupu (PDM).

On October 21, the Chisinau Appeals Court annulled the registration of Inna Popenko as a runner in the race for the presidency. The Court pronounced at the request of the CEC, which, for its part, was notified by independent candidate Silvia Radu. Inna Popenko is accused of corrupting voters and of not reporting all the costs incurred in the election campaign.