The final results of the After Poll conducted by an initiative group of civil society show Maia Sandu would win the presidential elections with 54.3% of the vote. Independent candidate supported by the PSRM Igor Dodon would gain 45.7%, IPN reports.

In a press briefing, sociologist Vasile Cantarji, of CBS Research, said the poll was carried out by phone between 12 noon and 9pm and covered 6.158 respondents. Of these, 3,190 said that they cast their ballots and 2,306 agreed to say who they voted for. In the interview, the respondents were asked if they voted and who of the candidates they voted for. The refusal rate was 28%. The poll does cover the diaspora and those from the Transnistrian region.

“WatchDog.MD” expert Valeriu Pașa said it is for the first time that such an exercise is conducted during a pandemic. It was possible to test a number of methodologies and to prove the feasibility and efficiency of telephone interviewing.

Independent expert Ștefan Gligor said that it is a result ensured by the citizens. The official data are now being awaited so as to compare them with the poll results and see if the data are correct.

Institute for Public Policy director Arcadie Barbăroșie noted the results didn’t change much. He did some calculations himself and saw that Maia Sandu will yet gain about 4% more, to 57-58%. The results of the vote in the diaspora are not yet known, but can be anticipated.

Independent analyst Victor Ciobanu said Victor Ciobanu said he will not comment on the results as they are evident.