Chisinau, Moldova  - Voters in the former Soviet republic of Moldova went to the polls Wednesday in parliamentary elections, nearly four months after bloody street riots followed a Communist election victory.

The liberal opposition, which is advocating entry into the European Union and closer ties to the West, is seeking to end eight years of rule by President Vladimir Voronin's Communist Party, which has allied itself with Russia.

Polling stations opened at 7 am (0400 GMT) under sunny skies for 14 hours of voting to chose a new Parliament, which is in turn to pick a new president for the impoverished, landlocked country bordering Ukraine and Romania.

The delayed election was necessary after the Parliament chosen in April 5 elections could not decide on a successor to Voronin, 68.

The opposition boycotted the presidential vote after Voronin's critics accused Moldovan authorities of committing fraud in the April election.

Although international observers had declared that the election with a few exceptions was conducted democratically, the charges of fraud prompted riots to break out in the capital, Chisinau, with looting and government buildings being set on fire.

Observers said they fear that another victory by the Communists would cause another round of protests as the country endures the worst political and economic crisis in its history.

Election projections were expected to be released overnight. (dpa)