Moldovan court orders recount of disputed election

By Dmitry Solovyov

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's Constitutional Court agreed on Sunday to a request from President Vladimir Voronin to stage a recount of last week's election in which a victory by his Communist Party sparked violent protests.

Voronin submitted the request on grounds that a recount could re-establish calm in the former Soviet republic wedged between Ukraine and Romania after anti-communist protesters this week ransacked the president's office and parliament.

The president accuses opposition parties of plotting a coup and says Romania fomented the turmoil in a country bordering the European Union but beset by a post-Soviet "frozen conflict."

"The Constitutional Court of Moldova hereby orders the Central Election Commission to recount within nine days all ballots cast by voters in the election of April 5," Court Chairman Dumitru Pulbere said after the court's sitting.

Pulbere also said the recount of the parliamentary election would involve an examination of voters' lists as demanded by the opposition, which has alleged mass poll fraud.

"These two issues are closely linked. You cannot do one without the other," he said.

The court had been expected to approve the president's request as eight of its nine judges were appointed during his time in office.

Results gave the Communists nearly 50 percent and 60 seats -- one short of the number needed to ensure victory for their candidate when the assembly later elects the president.