NGOs demand to set date of new parliamentary elections in Hâncești

19.12.2019 12:18
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The organizations that form part of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections express their concern about the Central Election Commission’s inaction in setting the date of the new parliamentary elections in single-member constituency Hâncești. The NGOs also disapprove of the delay in adopting the Parliament decision on the resignation of Democratic MP Alexandru Botnari, who won this February’s parliamentary elections in this constituency, IPN reports.

By a public appeal, the NGOs draw attention to the necessity of ensuring the predictability of the electoral process for voters and for the potential election contenders. “We consider all the players involved in the electoral process: citizens, potential competitors, electoral bodies, civil observers have the right to enjoy equal chances and sufficient time in preparing the eventual involvement,” says the appeal.

The NGOs insist that the CEC members should immediately come together to set the date of the new parliamentary elections in single-member constituency No. 38 within the legal limits – February 5 – March 5, 2020.

According to the NGOs, MP Alexandru Botnari was elected mayor of Hâncești municipality in the November 3 runoffs and his term in office was validated by the Hâncești Court on November 5. He tenders his resignation from the seat of MP on December 5, which was the last day when this was possible, and the Constitutional Court explained that the seat became vacant on December 5. This way, all the procedures related to the incompatibility of Alexandru Botnari were to be completed within 30 days, by December 5.

Given the regrettable precedent concerning the late setting of the date of the new parliamentary elections of October 20, there are reasonable suspicions that both the CEC and Parliament unjustifiably delay the setting of the date of new parliamentary elections in Hâncești.

The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections consists of about 40 NGOs, such as ADEPT, Contact Center, Promo-LEX, Independent Journalism Center, Association of Independent Press and others.