The banning of voting based on Soviet-type passports was a correct decision though it is more electoral rather than juridical in character. Such a conclusion was formulated by invitees to the program “Fabrica” on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.

Democratic MP Sergiu Sarbu considers the withdrawal of the Soviet-type passports from circulation is an important change, but the government must make sure that they violate no one’s the right to vote. “No law, no matter how important it is, can be justified if it violates the person’s right to vote. It’s good that the holders of Soviet-type passports will be issued with identity cards free of charge. Those who do not want to receive identity cards will express this way their unwillingness to take part in elections,” he stated.

Political analyst Anatol Taranu said it is over 20 years since Moldova declared its independence, but there are yet citizens holding Soviet-type passports. He welcomed the banning of voting with such passports. According to him, the attempt to build this state on Sovietism is a sacrilege and a crime against the people.

Head of the Jurists for Human Rights Association Vitalie Nagacevschi said that though this ban was imposed in order to hinder a part of the Communist supporters from voting, it was a right move given that Moldova wants to be a European state. The Soviet monuments must also be removed as their place is in the museum. The fact that the Moldovan nationality was in the past granted to many persons who had no hearty connection with Moldova led to the bringing to power of persons who defied the national interests.

The dean of the Law Faculty of the Moldova Free International University Alexandru Cauia said that though the decision to withdraw the Soviet-type passports from circulation is evidently electoral in character, it was necessary and correct.

Journalist Cristian Tabara in the same program said that it’s abnormal to identify oneself with a state that does not exist. “We must not forget our history, but this does not mean that we must attach significance to relics. Moldova’s history is not only the history of the Soviet Union. The approach must be balanced,” he stated.

On May 27, following a challenge filed by Communist lawmakers, the Constitutional Court ruled that the law providing for the withdrawal of the Soviet-type passports from circulation by September 1 is constitutional.

According to the ICT Ministry, when the plan of action for replacing the Soviet-type passports with identity cards was approved last October, there were 195,066 people holding Soviet-type passports in Moldova. By May 22 this year, the figure fell to 121,000. The identity card instead of the Soviet-type passport is issued free of charge, including to Transnistrians.