BUCHAREST -- Moldova is holding parliamentary elections on Sunday, with about 3.3 million registered voters set to elect 101 lawmakers for a new four-year term.

According to the Moldovan Central Election Commission, polling stations opened at 7 am local time (0400 GMT) and will close at 9 pm (1800 GMT). A total of 2,274 polling stations have been established, including 301 abroad, with 3,423 observers monitoring the vote, including 912 international observers.

In the election, 14 political parties, four electoral blocs and four independent candidates are contesting for seats. The threshold for entry into parliament is 5 percent for political parties, 7 percent for electoral blocs and 2 percent for independents, respectively.

The ruling Party of Action and Solidarity is widely regarded as the main contender, while its major rival is the Patriotic Electoral Bloc, led in part by former president Igor Dodon. Other notable participants include the Alternative Bloc and the Our Party.

The parliament of Moldova has a four-year term. The previous legislature was elected in July 2021.