The head of the executive branch (Bashkan) of autonomous territorial education (ATO) Gagauzia as part of Moldova will be elected in the second round of voting.
The CEC reported that none of the candidates following the first round of voting was enlisted by 50 percent of voters.
The progress of voting in Gagauzia was observed by 21 local and 75 international observers, including from the EU, Turkey, Azerbaijan, the USA, Ukraine and the UK.
The voter turnout amounted to 57.8 percent of 92,516 residents who have the right to vote.
In accordance with the electoral code, the current Bashkan Irina Vlakh was elected twice and has no right to run for this post.
The leader from 26.43 percent of the vote following the results of the first round of voting was the supporter of the former President of Moldova Igor Dodon of the Socialist Party Grigory Uzun. Uzun ran for an independent candidate, but went to the elections with the symbols of the Socialist Party.
The second place was taken by the Schorian party, Evgeny Gutsul, gaining 26.41 percent of the vote.
Both went into the second round of voting, which will take place on May 14th.
In the Gagauz ATO with a population of about 120 thousand people, they also speak Gagauz, which belongs to the Oguz group of Turkic languages.
Gagauzes received the right to autonomy in 1994 with the active support of Turkey. Most of the population of the ATO Gagauzia professes Orthodoxy.
Gagauzes are an important link in relations between Turkey and Moldova, which have reached the level of strategic partnership.