The February 24 parliamentary  elections were "competitive and fundamental rights were generally respected." However, shortcomings were noted throughout the campaign and on the Election Day, notably "allegations of pressure on public employees, strong indications of vote buying and the misuse of state resources", say the preliminary conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission. “The European Union is committed to working with those in the Republic of Moldova who support the reform process that is at the core of our Association Agreement, in particular as regards fighting corruption and vested interests irrespective of the political affiliations, ensuring the independence of the judiciary and de-politicizing the state institutions,” it is said in a press release of the EU Delegation to Moldova.

Asked by IPN to pronounce, political pundit Ion Tăbârță that with the distribution of seats largely known, there are two main scenarios and both involve the Democratic Party’s participation. The first one would be a coalition between the Democrats and the Socialists, which Tăbârță thinks is the latter’s only chance of being part of the government.  “Whereas before the elections there were some predictions that the Socialist Party could win enough seats to form a government by itself or with a few others, now it’s clear the Socialists won’t manage on their own. They don’t have the ability to influence other MPs into leaving their parties. They need as many as 16 votes, which is extremely difficult to achieve. Their only chance is to form a coalition with the Democrats, wrapped as ‘pro-Moldova’, with a national ideal message and some sort of geopolitical equilibristics. Perhaps with the Shor Party as well, perhaps not. But that’s another story”, says Ion Tăbârță.

“Election Day in Moldova was generally calm and procedural elements of the process were conducted in a professional manner by PEBs. ENEMO observers reported sporadic procedural mistakes and ambiguities, mostly due to latest amendments and procedures introduced, such as electoral campaigning on Election Day, the use of cameras, and holding of the referendum on the same day as elections. Most PSs observed were not fully accessible to voters with mobility impairments”, said Head of the Mission, Dritan Taulla.

The polling stations haven‘t been appropriately equipped for ensuring the right to vote of the persons with disabilities. The polling places didn’t have ramps or these didn’t meet the recommended standards. Some of the persons with disabilities could not exercise their right to vote as they do not have or never had identification papers. These are the findings of observers of the Moldova Institute for Human Rights (IDOM), who oversaw the electoral process at nine temporary placement centers for persons with disabilities and in psychiatrist hospitals.

The deputy chairman of the Party “Action and Solidarity” Mihai Popșoi said the bloc ACUM DA PAS will challenge in court the election outcome, especially the one in the Transnistrian region, as the elections there were widely rigged. He referred to the fact that thousands of citizens from the left side of the Nistru were brought to polling places to vote in an organized way.

The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections that classed the parliamentary elections held on February 24 as unfair and partially free is to formulate recommendations for improving the electoral legislation. The Coalition ascertained that administrative resources were used in the election campaign prior to the parliamentary elections and voters were corrupted. The rights to vote and file challenges of the Moldovans abroad were limited. Mistakes and deficiencies were identified in the State Register of Voters and the voter rolls and the mass-media was controlled politically. The women, young people, persons with disabilities and persons of Roma ethnicity were underrepresented and national observers were intimidated.

Prime Minister Pavel Filip for February 27 called a Cabinet meeting after a pause of two weeks before the parliamentary elections of February 24. The agenda with over 30 issues that are to be discussed in the meeting was published on the Government’s website.

Details on IPN!