The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections seeks explanations from the Central Election Commission (CEC) for registering a number of political organizations as participants in the campaign for the September 5 constitutional referendum. The Collation says the CEC broke the Election Code when it registered organizations that did not say whether they are in favor or against amending Article 78 of the Constitution and that boycott the plebiscite. The Coalition's secretary Nicolae Panfil told a news conference held at Info-Prim Neo on August 19 that the CEC created preconditions for the participants in the referendum to defy the law. “The Commission should explain why we have four options for the referendum, not two – in favor, against, have not yet decided and I boycott the plebiscite ,” said Nicolae Panfil. Jurist Ion Manole, the head of Promo-Lex Association, said this situation confuses the population and allows the representatives of the local public authorities not to obey the law. “This is a kind of anarchy as there are no penalties. It is serious when a local public authority challenges a state decision. Such cases should not be neglected,” Ion Manole said. According to Ion Bunduchi, executive director of the Electronic Press Association (APEL), the created situation is ridiculous. “The CEC offers a participant in the campaign that boycotts the referendum the same participation conditions as to those that observe the law,” he said. On September 5, voters will be asked whether they are in favor or against amending article 78 of the Constitution so that it allows for direct election of the President of Moldova. Twenty-five political organizations were registered as participants in the campaign for the referendum.