CHISINAU, Oct 21, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A referendum on Moldova joining the EU hung in the balance early Monday with almost all votes counted, as President Maia Sandu blamed an "unprecedented assault on our country's freedom and democracy" in a vote marred by fears of Russian meddling amid the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

With more than 98 percent of the votes counted, the "yes" vote was slightly ahead at 50.03 percent, while the "no" camp -- long been ahead from the start of counting -- stood at 49.97 percent, according to results published by the election commission.