Moldovan presidential election goes to runoff

A man casts his ballot at a polling station during the presidential elections in the village of Boscana, Moldova, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Moldovans began voting Sunday for a president in an election that could move the former Soviet republic closer to Europe or push it back into Russia's orbit.(AP Photo/Roveliu Buga) (The Associated Press)

The leader of Socialists Party Igor Dodon casts his ballot, holding his son Nikolai while his wife Galina watches, at a polling station during the presidential elections in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Moldovans began voting Sunday for a president in an election that could move the former Soviet republic closer to Europe or push it back into Russia's orbit.(AP Photo/Roveliu Buga) (The Associated Press)

The leader of the Action and Solidarity Party, Maia Sandu, casts her vote during the presidential elections in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Moldovans began voting Sunday for a president in an election that could move the former Soviet republic closer to Europe or push it back into Russia's orbit.(AP Photo/Roveliu Buga) (The Associated Press)

Moldova's presidential election will go to a runoff after a pro-Russian candidate narrowly missed winning a majority of votes.

With almost all ballots counted early Monday, Igor Dodon won 48.26 percent, while pro-European rival Maia Sandu scored 38.42 percent.

There will now be a second round on Nov. 13 as no candidate secured a majority of the vote.

The election on Sunday was the first presidential election by direct vote in 20 years in this impoverished former Soviet republic.

Moldovans, angry about high-level corruption, were divided about whether to seek closer integration into Europe or rekindle ties with Moscow.