URGENT: Moldova's referendum declared invalid because of low turnout

Moldova's referendum on whether the country's president should be directly elected was declared invalid on Monday as voter turnout has not reached the necessary 33.33 percent.

Moldova's referendum on whether the country's president should be directly elected was declared invalid on Monday as voter turnout has not reached the necessary 33.33 percent, the head of the Moldovan Central Election Commission said.

Only 30.98 percent of eligible voters have gone to Sunday's polls, Yevgeny Shtirbu said.

The referendum was held in a bid to break the political deadlock that has left the country without a full-fledged president for 18 months.

CHISINAU, September 6 (RIA Novosti)