ENEMO’s International Election Observation Mission for the 2024 Presidential Elections and Constitutional Referendum presented the Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions. Dritan Taulla, Head of the International Election Observation Mission of ENEMO, said that the 20 October elections were held against massive malign foreign interference attempts and sustained attacks on democratic values and institutions.
“Despite efforts of the authorities to counter misinformation and vote buying schemes, ENEMO raises utmost concerns over such attempts to sway the country away from strengthening democratic institutions and rule of law. Election management bodies managed the process transparently and professionally. Minor procedural violations or irregularities on Election Day did not affect the integrity of the process,” Dritan Taulla stated at a press conference held today at IPN.
Elidon Lamani, Election Analyst of the EOM of ENEMO, said that the legal framework provides a sound basis for the conduct of elections in line with international obligations and standards. The Electoral Code has been amended several times since its adoption in 2022, including in the last year. While finding most of the amendments overall necessary to strengthen election integrity, ENEMO notes that in order to ensure stability of the electoral law, frequent changes to the legal framework should be avoided to the extent possible, especially close to an election.
“Election Day was generally calm and peaceful, with the management of polling stations in compliance with the legislation and performance of PEBs and DECs positively assessed in most cases. Despite some challenges like limited accessibility for disabled voters, and minor technical issues, the voting process in most observed stations proceeded smoothly, with proper procedures followed. Counting procedures were properly executed, and the delivery of materials was transparent and well organized, though efficiency was sometimes hindered by overcrowding, tension, and limited space,” stated Elidon Lamani.
According to him, the Election Administration Bodies, at all levels, managed the electoral process professionally, efficiently and transparently. “The CEC sessions were open to observers and the media and live streamed. While CEC decisions were posted promptly on the CEC’s website, the minutes were often delayed, sometimes significantly. DEC decisions were also posted at their respective premises and on the websites of some second-level administrative units. Overall, the election administration enjoyed the trust of interlocutors. The CEC, along with its Centre for Continuous Electoral Training, conducted a comprehensive nationwide voter information campaign and offered training programs for various election stakeholders,” added Lamani.
Momcilo Radulovic, Political and Campaign Analyst of the EOM stated that candidates could campaign freely. In general, the campaign was calm and low-key and the campaigning for the referendum was far less visible compared to the presidential contest. Although foreign policy and the country's geopolitical orientation were widely discussed in the public sphere, especially with the Referendum addressing these topics, they were not central to the presidential candidates' campaigns. Many of the promises and aspects of platforms of presidential candidates extended beyond the legal and constitutional powers of the presidential office.
Besides officially registered candidates for the presidential contest and the parties campaigning for the referendum, the mission observed and received reports of activities by unregistered third parties actively involved in promoting electoral and referendum messages. Attempts to undermine election integrity and the stability of the institutional system through public and large-scale vote-buying schemes, which are currently under active investigation by the authorities, are of the utmost concern. The involvement of clergy members in the campaign runs counter to the Constitution, opined the expert.
“The legal framework for campaign finance mostly aligns with the recommendations of the Venice Commission and GRECO. The CEC generally managed to efficiently process electoral contestants’ campaign finance reports. However, the broader social and political landscape in Moldova continues to be significantly impacted by foreign state actors or individuals and groups involved in illegal or disruptive economic, social, and political activities, systematically trying to undermine the country’s democratic institutions and the rule of law. The electoral environment was also negatively impacted by such activities, as claimed by many ENEMO interlocutors who raised concerns about the risks of "shadow funding”,” concluded Radulovic.
The activity of the Audiovisual Council, especially monitoring of the campaign coverage, provided a solid foundation for balancing the audiovisual media scene and helped maintain a relatively even playing field for electoral contestants during the electoral campaign.
“The judiciary's emphasis on procedural correctness often resulted in dismissals without substantive examination of claims, reflecting a strictly formalistic interpretation and application of legal requirements,” said Mariam Chubabria, Political and Campaign Analyst of the EOM.
ENEMO’s EOM will continue to stay in the country to follow potential complaints and appeals and will issue one more statement of preliminary findings and conclusions on 4 November, the day after the run-off elections.
ENEMO’s International Election Observation Mission for the 2024 Presidential Elections and Constitutional Referendum in Moldova is financially supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI); the Kingdom of the Netherlands; and the Soros Foundation in Moldova. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of ENEMO and do not necessarily reflect the views of the donors.
Note: IPN Agency offers the right of reply to persons who consider that they were affected by the articles produced based on the statements of the organizers of this press conference, including by facilitating the organization of another press conference in similar conditions.
