The Communists dominate the legislature and lead in opinion polls ahead of the April 5 vote. Three opposition parties trail far behind but are likely to clear the six percent level needed to win seats. About a half of voters are still undecided.

But huge numbers of workers abroad could help upset the Communists who are popular among civil servants and elderly voters in Europe's poorest nation.

"This communist power is categorically against giving the right to vote to our compatriots abroad because they will vote against the Communists," Vlad Filat of the Liberal Democratic Party told some 20,000 protesters in Chisinau's central square.

"We call on all compatriots to call their relatives in Moldova and tell them to vote against the Communists, so that on April 6 Moldova wakes up a communist-free nation."

According to various estimates, between 700,000 and 1 million of Moldova's eligible electorate of some 2.4 million are working abroad, mainly in Russia and European Union nations Italy, Portugal and Spain.

The authorities suggest Moldovan nationals should vote at some 35 polling stations at diplomatic missions Chisinau has abroad. Critics say this is insufficient and only a low percentage of migrant workers will be able to vote.

The new legislature will elect the nation's next president. A successful candidate must win 61 votes from its 101 members.

Vladimir Voronin, 67 and the only communist president of a former Soviet republic, has made clear he wants to stay in or close to power after his second -- and last -- four-year term expires after the parliamentary election.

There has been widespread speculation Voronin will try to retain power by becoming prime minister, chairman of parliament or leader of the assembly's largest group.

Under Voronin, Moldova had unsteady relations with former imperial master Russia which keeps troops in the country's pro-Moscow Transdniestria region and has sought closer ties with Europe.


Reuters