The major role in deciding the number and location of polling places abroad should be played by the Central Election Commission. For their part, the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration should play an execution role in the process and should ensure the proper implementation of the CEC decisions that were evidently taken in strict compliance with the Election Codie, said experts of “Promo-LEX” Association, who asked to establish a higher number of polling places abroad for the parliamentary elections given the problems identified in the presidential elections and the continuous emigration of Moldovans.
As many as 24,585 Moldovans with the right to vote who are abroad or live on the left side of the Nistru registered beforehand for the parliamentary elections. Asked by IPN to pronounce, “Promo-LEX” programs director Pavel Postica said the number of registrations beforehand is almost five times higher compared with the presidential elections. This should make the authorities address the opening of polling place abroad in a much more responsible manner.
Pavel Postica said the rise in the number of registrations beforehand is spectacular given that only about 3,500 persons registered in advance at the previous elections. “Evidently, this indicator is rather relevant as it will make the responsible authorities establish polling places in particular localities. It should be yet noted that the registration beforehand is not the only indicator and is one of the five main indicators,” he stated.
According to the expert, in the case of the other indicators, including official information from foreign authorities, information from databases concerning voters and the number of voters at the previous elections, the figures can no longer be modified. “In case of registration in advance, this is the only instrument by which the solitary citizens, by their effort, can make the authorities take a particular decision. Correspondingly, the rise witnessed in the recent past is welcome from our viewpoint. We should only salute the efforts made by our compatriots abroad. But we should also see how the authorities manage this situation and if they accept these requests for registration beforehand alongside the other indicators that should be published so that they are clear for everyone,” stated Pavel Postica.
The voters could register beforehand until January 9. The registration in advance does not imply the removal of the citizens from the electoral list where they have the domicile. If the registered person is in Moldova on the election day, this could vote at the place of residence.
