The National Democratic Institute’s international election observation mission (IEOM) in Moldova encourages the Government to redouble efforts to protect Moldova from coordinated foreign efforts to manipulate its information environment and influence its political processes.

In a news conference at IPN, Stephanie Rust, NDI’s Chief Programs Officer, said that NFI recommends civil society and the media, as well as the CEC, to proactively address rumors and false or misleading information about the election process, including the tabulation of official results and the conduct of the second-round presidential election.

The media should respect the role the CEC has in determining the official results for the election, and refrain from prematurely declaring a winner.

The delegation urges the CEC to communicate, in a timely and frequent manner, with the Moldovan people and political contestants about all aspects of the tabulation of official results, and the resolution of any pending complaints, including providing electoral data in an easy-to-analyze format, and take proactive steps to counter misleading and false narratives about the election process and the tabulation of official results, particularly on social media.

Moldovans should be vigilant when receiving information on social media and the internet at large. Different perspectives should be sought before forming a political opinion and the decision regarding whom or what to vote for.

The mission will continue to follow electoral developments, including the tabulation of official results, adjudication of disputes, announcement of official results, the conduct of the second round, and swearing in of the next president, and may issue further statements and clarifications as needed.

Upon the conclusion of the 2024 election process, including the November 3 presidential runoff, NDI will issue a comprehensive report detailing final findings and recommendations.

On election day, the mission deployed to all 32 raions, the municipalities of Chisinau and Balti, and the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia.

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.