The Central Election Commission (CEC) took cognizance of the Parliament’s decision whereby a seat of MP in the Socialist group was declared vacant. In its July 25 meeting, the Commission voted to assign the seat to the next substitute candidate on the list of the Party of Socialists Petru Corduneanu, who is now a local councilor in Chisinau, IPN reports.

According to CEC vice president Rodica Ciubotaru, the Commission will request the Constitutional Court to validate the mandate of the substitute candidate on the list of the Party of Socialists.

In the meeting, CEC member Vladimir Sarban said the press earlier reported that Petru Corduneanu was involved in a criminal case and, even if he was acquitted, the Commission should ask for information about this.

In reply, Rodica Ciubotaru said the Parliament’s decision is accompanied by the substitute candidate’s statement of consent and by other necessary documents. Thus, the file is complete and the procedure for validating the mandate can be initiated.

The seat of MP became vacant about a week ago after Socialist MP Irina Mizdrenko died. The press reported recently that Petru Corduneanu, who held the post of head of the Public Order Division of the Chisinau Police Commissariat, was investigated in the case of the April 7, 2009 events, but was acquitted.