The public association “Promo-LEX” worked out a methodology for monitoring the finances of the election contenders. Presenting the methodology, the association’s executive director Ion Manole said that until now civil society monitored the election campaigns in general, but now they will monitor every contender separately, IPN reports.

The monitoring will be carried out by observers based on reports, pictures and statements. If violations are identified, the evidence will be transmitted to the competent bodies. “We want maximum financial transparency,” stated Ion Manole. According to him, the financial aspects play a very important role in educating the future rulers and civil society must permanently have its eye on the election runners’ spending in campaigns.

Program coordinator Nicolae Panfil said that the contenders most of the times declare only a part of the expenses and avoid making public the costs associated with transport, organization of concerts, publication of advertising materials and others. As a result, enormous sums are invested, about which nothing is known.

Andrei Brighidin, director for development and assessment at East Europe Foundation, said the qualitative studies showed that Moldova encounters problems as regards the financing of election campaigns and parties, including non-declaration of a part of incomes in campaigns, financing of the campaign by a low number of donors and the lack of efficient punishment mechanisms when the provisions concerning transparency in election campaigns are violated.

The methodology was tested in the new local elections of May 19 and will be implemented in the next elections.