The current local mayoral elections will set the tone for this autumn’s parliamentary elections and this creates opportunities for the parties from the first and second ranks to change positions, Igor Munteanu, director of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”, was quoted by IPN as saying in the talk show “Emphasis on today” on TVR Moldova channel.
“Only after the results of the runoff vote in Chisinau, we will realize how the political landscape will look like in autumn,” stated Igor Munteanu. According to him, in terms of electoral techniques the May 20 elections tested the reaction of the population to an independent candidate and also the unionist flanks as several unionist parties took part in the local elections for the first time. “Ultimately, there were tested negative techniques against the opponents. These techniques crossed the lines of decency and the ethical principles in an electoral campaign,” said the director of “Viitorul”.
Pavel Postica, head of the election observation mission of Promo-LEX Association, noted the electoral contenders in the current elections used legal instruments and this is a positive aspect. However, as long as the state institutions do not impose penalties, especially when there are cases of violation of ethical principles, there will be impunity and the electoral players will be not very tempted to collect evidence and use legal challenging instruments.
Septimius Parvu, electoral expert of the Romanian association Expert Forum, said the role of observers in the electoral process is essential because the political parties can do many things inside polling places on the election day and the role of impartial persons is thus crucial. “I think our role is slightly more important than that on the election day only, given such aspects as the consultations on legislation, accountability and, especially, the education of the people on which we focus,” he noted.
In the early mayoral elections held in Chisinau municipality on May 20, the Party of Socialists’ candidate Ion Ceban won 40.97% of the poll, while the candidate of the Party “Platform Dignity and Truth” Andrei Nastase – 32.12%. The two will compete in runoffs on June 3.
