CHISINAU, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Moldovans headed to the polls on Sunday for a presidential election that has been marred by accusations of interference. The result of the vote will help define whether Moscow can regain some influence over this small nation, which is striving to strengthen relations with the European Union.

Incumbent President Maia Sandu, a pro-Western leader who has fast-tracked Moldova away from Russia's sphere of influence and toward EU membership, faces off against Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general with the backing of the traditionally pro-Russian Socialist Party.

Sandu’s journey, which saw Moldova begin formal EU accession talks in June, is being closely monitored in Brussels. The election follows Georgia's recent re-election of a party perceived as tilting towards Russia, adding further regional significance to Moldova’s vote.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and will close at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT), serving as a pivotal moment in Moldova’s future direction.

The stakes are high, as Moldova finds itself in the geopolitical spotlight due to the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine, which has had substantial ripple effects throughout the region.

Stoianoglo, while voicing support for EU integration, insists on also strengthening ties with Russia for the sake of national interests. He has pledged to negotiate for the return of discounted Russian gas and has expressed willingness to meet Vladimir Putin if it aligns with popular Moldovan sentiment.

“I cast my vote for a Moldova that is free, stable, and prosperous—not standing with hands outstretched, but fostering balanced relations with both the East and West,” Stoianoglo remarked after casting his ballot.

The result could shape next summer’s parliamentary elections, where Sandu’s party is anticipated to face challenges in retaining its current majority, potentially altering the course of future governance.

“This is a crucial day for us... it's a turning point. We haven't had such an important day in 30 years,” said Mihai David, a 58-year-old Chisinau resident at the polling station.

“My son is in Germany, and I’m glad—it’s so much better there. I hope it can be the same here,” said Maria Fefilova, a 68-year-old retiree.

Stoianoglo's stance of balancing relations with both Moscow and the West is in stark contrast to Sandu’s presidency, where ties with Russia have frayed, leading to the expulsion of Russian diplomats and condemnation of the Ukraine invasion.

In response, Moscow has accused Sandu's administration of harboring "Russophobic" sentiments.

Sandu has cast the upcoming election as a decisive moment for Moldova, painting Stoianoglo as a Kremlin ally and calling the vote a choice between a future within the EU by 2030 and a path fraught with uncertainty.

Stoianoglo refutes these claims as false and accuses Sandu of neglecting the needs of the average Moldovan, portraying her policies as divisive in a country split between a Romanian-speaking majority and a large Russian-speaking minority.

The police have been stepping up efforts to prevent the sort of vote-buying schemes that they believe played a role in the first-round vote on Oct. 20. That election was tainted by allegations of meddling by fugitive pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, who allegedly bought votes in a bid to derail Moldova's aspirations of joining the EU.

Russia has denied involvement, and Shor, who currently resides in Russia, has also denied any wrongdoing. He took to social media to encourage Moldovans to vote against Sandu while promising monetary rewards for following his guidance.

According to Sandu, these manipulations affected the Oct. 20 results, stating that Shor had sought to buy votes from over 300,000 citizens—amounting to more than 10% of the electorate.

A confidential source within the Moldovan government said that authorities had warned several EU countries of potential Russian attempts to disrupt voting by Moldovans abroad, particularly targeting polling stations in nations like Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Canada, Romania, the U.S., and the UK. The disruption, the source said, could include tactics such as bomb threats.

Moldovan expatriates, especially those living in the West, are generally seen as more pro-European and are expected to back Sandu’s pro-EU platform, which seeks to bring Moldova into the EU by 2030.

Results from a prior EU referendum delivered a narrow victory of 50.35% for the pro-EU side. In the first round of voting, Sandu secured 42% of the votes, falling short of the 50% required for an outright win. Stoianoglo trailed in second place with 26% support.

Stoianoglo is expected to rally support from those dissatisfied with Sandu’s handling of the economy, particularly as Moldova grapples with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic impacts of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The war led to an influx of refugees and cut off Russian gas supplies, sparking high levels of inflation.

Sandu has centered her campaign around the message “Save Moldova,” while the opposition has responded with a satirical twist: “Save Moldova from Sandu.”