The Chisinau City Appeals Court rejected the request of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) to remove the Shor Party’s candidate Vitalie Balinschi from the electoral race in Hâncești, where new parliamentary elections will be held on March 15, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the party.

The Shor Party welcomes the Court’s decision as this proves, as it says, that Vitalie Balinschi and the Shor Political Party staged a correct and honest election campaign in Hâncești. “We hope today’s decision is an indicator of the fact that justice in the Republic of Moldova refuses to obey the political orders of Igor Dodon and the Socialists,” runs the party’s press release.

At the same time, the Shor Party calls on the CEC and other state institutions to stop exerting political pressure on it and its candidate.

Last week, the CEC requested the Chisinau City Appeals Court to annul the registration of Vitalie Balinschi as a candidate for MP in single-member constituency No.38 Hâncești. CEC president Dorin Cimil said then that the decision to go to court was taken because the contender didn’t respect the electoral legislation and used undeclared funds and assets.

In the morning of March 10, a number of persons gathered together in front of the Chisinau City Appeals Court to demand that a correct ruling is given in the case of Vitalie Balinschi. The demonstration was yet suspended by the organizers in connection with the unfavorable situation related to COVID-19.