The observance of the principle of integrity in the local elections should be regarded through the angle of the local particularities. The lawmakers should look at the essence of an issue and should see how a law will work in a rural or an urban locality, Nicolae Negru, editorialist of Ziarul Național paper, stated in a public debate held by IPN.

Nicolae Negru noted that some of those to whom the law on integrity applies find it harder to obey this law when the community is small and where it is difficult to obey the principle of transparently if they hired a relative, for example. But most of the people are related in a village and there is no way out. The lawmakers should look at the essence and see how a law will work in a village and in a town. This wasn’t done, but will be yet done.

According to Nicolae Negru, the integrity test cannot be applied to everyone when it goes to local elections and one can seem to be nonupright from the viewpoint of the law, but they are actually upright. Particular progress was yet made in ensuring a democratic process, transparency and integrity in local elections.

“Those who stand as a candidate at elections must submit a property statement and this is progress. There was a period when such statements weren’t required, but the press revealed particular mishmashes or unjust enrichment in the case of a candidate or another. There was also a period when these statements were submitted, but they were formal, which is not many devoted attention to them if only the press. The state institutions didn’t bother to see what a particular candidate declared. Now we have a state institution that checks and penalizes those who declared incorrectly or didn’t declare all the incomes,” stated the editorialist.

Nicolae Negru noted it is important to ensure the integrity not only of those who contend in elections, but also of those who monitor the election process. The press plays an important role in ensuring transparency and integrity in local elections. At present, many media outlets are politically biased and choose to provide selective information about the integrity or lack of integrity of particular election runners.

The public debate entitled “Transparency and integrity in local elections” was staged by IPN News Agency in the framework of the project “Stimulation of discussion in the mass media about traditional particularities of local elections and the need for Europeanization” which is supported by Soros Foundation Moldova.