The ex-head of the staff of the Communist parliamentary group Alina Russu was chosen as the new president of the Central Election Commission (CEC) by six votes of the eight Commission member attending. Alina Russu’s opponent Maxim Lebedinschi polled one vote, while one ballot was declared invalid following the secret vote, IPN reports.

In the June 27 meeting, the CEC members proposed Vladimir Sarban, Sergiu Gurduza, Alina Russu and Maxim Lebedinschi for the Commission’s president. The first two refused to run. Sergiu Gurduza also refused to take part in the voting because the ballot didn’t contain the options “pro”, “against” and “abstention” against the name of each candidate.

Also, Rodica Ciubotaru was elected as vice president, while Nicolae Agrigoroae as secretary of the CEC.

The CEC members in the meeting declared on their own responsibility that they are not party members. The new composition of the Central Election Commission was approved by Parliament on June 17.