There is potential for electoral processes to improve in Moldova and for electoral corruption to diminish, stated Igor Cristal, expert with the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova, during an IPN debate on Friday.

Igor Cristal says that today there are many temptations at the local level. The forms of corruption at the local level may be different, but the interests pursued remain the same. They include geopolitical struggles, among other things, not just the fight for the seat of mayor or councilor.

Also, says Igor Cristal, the motivation for corruption may be different, but the consequences will always lead to an electoral process lacking fairness. In this regard, Igor Cristal admits that the new electoral regulations, the amendments to the Electoral Code, the efforts made towards informing and educating voters and electoral officials, will make the whole society responsible, and at the next election the electoral processes will be more transparent and fairer.

“We need to expect changes for the better. Because, surely, this dimension of electoral education, closer to voter training, will bear fruit. Final-year pupils must certainly be educated in electoral matters, to know what the rights, obligations and consequences are. If there will be a different conduct than what we have now, then we have expectations, at least I have this perception, that things will change”, declared Igor Cristal.

He appreciates the fact that electoral concerts were banned, which were not always perceived as something negative by the voters, rather, they were meant to corrupt the voters and influence their decisions. “Through the Electoral Code, these electoral concerts were banned. It’s typically a pretty significant gathering of people, where the message and everything else can spread very well”. According to him, electoral competitors could easily manipulate voting intentions in this way. Igor Cristal says that this year’s general local elections are a first test to see how an electoral campaign can take place under the new rules.

This was the fifth installment of a series of discussions dedicated to the upcoming local elections, a series run by IPN with the support of the Soros Moldova Foundation