DHAKA: Moldova is voting in parliamentary elections which are widely seen as a contest between pro-EU parties and those backing closer ties with Russia.

Recent opinion polls gave a lead to the pro-Westerners, but tough post-election bargaining is predicted.

On the eve of the vote, one pro-Russian party was banned from the poll - a move criticised by Moscow.

The elections have taken on a wider significance in the shadow of the bloody crisis in neighbouring Ukraine.

The crisis began last November after Ukraine’s former leadership made a last-minute U-turn, refusing to sign a landmark association and free trade deal with the EU - under huge pressure from Russia.

This triggered mass protests in Ukraine that ousted president Viktor Yanukovych, and Kiev later signed the EU deal.

But the protests, in turn, led to Russia annexing southern Crimea peninsula in March and throwing support behind separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Moldova, which also signed the EU agreement, has been under growing Russian pressure to change course, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1829 HRS, NOV 30, 2014