The process to vote in the runoff presidential election of the republic of Moldova started in Tokyo, Japan. Elena Naik, from the city of Tsukuba, a member of the Japanese diaspora, exercised her right to vote shortly after the playing of the state anthem and the opening of the polling station in Japan, IPN reports.

"Our compatriot showed that the pride of being Moldovans is expressed not only through activities to promote the country in the Land of the Rising Sun, but also through voting – a civic duty of everyone. Elena is an active member of the Moldovan community and this time she participated in the direct organization of the election as secretary of the electoral bureau of the polling station in Tokio," said the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Japan.

Elena Naik said that Moldova is not a place. It is a people and every vote counts.

The polling station in Japan is traditionally the first to open its doors to voters. The voting process there started at 07:00 a.m. local time or 01:00 a.m. Chisinau time.