The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections will stage a number of activities to inform the citizens so that they know better how to make a conscious choice in elections given that the parliamentary elections of this autumn will be held according to a new electoral system. The announcement was made in a news conference at IPN where the Coalition that consists of several tens of nongovernmental organizations resumed work in a move to monitor the election campaign and the parliamentary elections of this year.
Igor Botan, executive director of the Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT), said the new, mixed electoral system implies new approaches and the representatives of NGOs will work to explain these provisions. Activities are also needed to inform about voting abroad and how the electoral districts will work on the left side of the Nistru.
Executive director of the Association of Independent Press Petru Macovei noted the citizens do not know much about how the electoral districts where they vote are established. Multiple electoral education activities are needed for the citizens to vote consciously.
Partnership for Development Center consultant Alina Andronache stated that the free, correct and inclusive elections are the basis of any democracy. This mean observance of the electoral rights of each voter. “We consider it is important that no person, voter in the Republic of Moldova should be marginalized, discriminated or sidelined in the electoral process,” said Alina Andronache.
Programs coordinator of Promo-LEX Association Nicolae Panfil said the Coalition members are for a clean election campaign where the information is spread freely and does not harm human dignity, does not incite hatred and social division. “Given the previous experiences, we will be attentive to the ballot in the diaspora so as to eventually exert more pressure on the authorities beforehand so that things are arranged,” stated Nicolae Panfil.
President of East Europe Foundation Sorin Mereacre said the election administration bodies in Moldova, such as the Central Election Commission, do not devote enough attention to the proposals or recommendations formulated by civil society for organizing correct elections and this shows that this body is not equidistant and professional.
The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections is an entity formed of 35 NGOs. The member organizations invite other entities to join in.
