The president of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Dorin Cimil said the figure of 146 polling stations intended for the diaspora was agreed by most of the CEC members after doing financial calculations. For now the Commission received only 70 million lei for organizing the elections and the Government daily promises to supplement the budget, IPN reports.
The CEC president noted that if thousands of people from the diaspora are unable to vote on July 11, the blame will be borne by the MPs who didn’t vote to introduce electronic voting and postal voting.
“The responsibility will be borne by the MPs inclusively. We waited for laws and for the normative framework to be amended so that alternative voting methods are introduced. The Parliament was also responsible for the amendment of the budget law for ensuring the proper conduct of elections. These changes were to be made before the dissolution of Parliament,” Dorin Cimil stated in the talk show “In Depth” on ProTV Chisinau channel.
As to the low number of polling stations intended for the diaspora, the CEC president said the electoral institution does nothing but apply the expenditure estimate that is covered by the Government.
“There was transferred a sum of only 70 million lei. Let’s be correct and abide by the documents that are to be executed, not by public statements. We have only 70 million lei and only promises from the Premier,” stated Dorin Cimil.
At the same time, the CEC president expressed his disagreement with the opening of two polling stations in Bender municipality and one station in Corjova village of Dubăsari district, which are temporarily outside the control of the Moldovan constitutional authorities.
“As we cannot ensure public order and there are imminent risks, I consider the three stations are not necessary,” stated Dorin Cimil.
Initially, the Central Election Commission decided to establish 139 polling stations intended for the diaspora, as at last year’s presidential elections. Later, the CEC reviewed its decision, increasing the figure to 146.