The leader of the Democratic Party (PDM) Marian Lupu is the first applicant registered as a runner in the race for the presidency by the Central Election Commission, IPN reports.

CEC president Alina Russu said that Marian Lupu will top the list of candidates on the ballot, after a decision concerning the content of the ballot is taken.

The Commission registered the electoral symbol and confirmed the representative with the right of consultative vote for the period of the election campaign and the person responsible for finance, the treasurer. It also took notice of the initiative group’s report on the spending presented on September 5 and ascertained that this was compiled in accordance with the electoral legal provisions.

In a press release, the PDM says Marian Lupu noted that the people’s confidence and the efficiency of the Democratic team made an extraordinary start and from now on the team will work to increase this energy. “Only this way, will we succeed and will achieve the development objectives of the Republic of Moldova. Our goals must be concrete, aimed at clear beneficiaries and themes that are key for the people: to root out corruption, to reform government so as to provide exemplary public services, to protect the families, women and children, to develop the economy, to increase the number of jobs and to modernize communities,” stated the Democratic leader.

Also today, the CEC registered eight initiative groups for collecting signatures in favor of the nominees for President, namely: independent Vadim Branzan; Inna Popenko, who was fielded by the Social-Political Movement “Ravnopravie”; independent Silvia Radu; Mihail Garbuz, who was proposed by the Party “Moldova’s Patriots”; independent Anatol Plugaru; independent Geta Savitski; independent Vasile Tarlev, and independent Maia Laguta.

The CEC has registered 24 initiative groups for collecting signatures in favor of the applicants for the office of President. The collected signatures must be presented to the Commission by September 29.