Association of Young Bessarabians concerned about PCRM’s actions

The Association of Young Bessarabians lodged a petition with the Government of Moldova and the Central Election Commission (CEC), expressing their concern about the repeated attempts of the Communists Party (PCRM) to sabotage the right to vote of the Moldovans who are abroad, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué from the organization. “We are very indignant at the fact that the PCRM is trying to deprive us of the fundamental right to take part in the constitutional referendum and to freely and directly elect our representatives,” said Dan Caranfil, a member of the Association of Young Bessarabians. According to the young man, the Moldovan citizens in Romania made approaches to open polling places both in 2005 and 2009, but the previous Government refused. “Given that over 600,000 Moldovans are outside Moldova, it is absolutely necessary to set up polling places in the regions where there are communities of Moldovans, not only at embassies and consulates, by observing the legislation,” the young people say. The CEC announced that 78 poling places will be opened abroad for the September 5 constitutional referendum. The PCRM challenged the electoral authority’s decision to set up additional polling places abroad, arguing it was adopted later than allowed. Afterward, in a news conference, representatives of the PCRM accused the Government of intention to rig the results of the referendum. Communist MP Grigore Petrenko and jurist Sergiu Sarbu said the authorities will send 200,000 ballots abroad, but the number of voters there is lower. They also said that the Government will not ensure the security of the Moldovan citizens at the polling places abroad. The CEC denied the accusations made by the representatives of the PCRM.