Partial results from Moldova's parliamentary elections show that pro-EU parties have a narrow lead over those backing closer ties with Russia, BBC News reports.

With 80% of the votes counted, the three pro-Western parties have about 44%. The opposition has 40%. No party appears to be able to form a government, and tough post-election bargaining is predicted.

On the eve of the vote, one pro-Russian party was banned from the poll - a move criticized by Russia.

The elections have taken on a wider significance in the shadow of the bloody crisis in neighboring Ukraine after the country’s former leadership made a last-minute U-turn, refusing to sign a landmark association and free trade deal with the EU.

The partial results show that the pro-Russian Socialist Party has taken a lead with about 22% of the vote.

The pro-EU Liberal Democrats are in second place with 19%. The party wants Moldova to achieve EU candidate status by 2017 and full membership by 2020.

The second opposition party - the Communist Party - is running a close third with 18%. The party is a Soviet-era survivor that still uses the hammer and sickle as its symbol.

Two other pro-Europe parties - the Democrats and the Liberals - are on 16% and 9% respectively.

About 2.7 million people are eligible to cast their ballots, electing a single-chamber 101-seat parliament by a system of proportional representation.

Parties need to get at least 6% of the vote to gain seats in parliament.

The turnout was just under 56%.