Civil society admits Moldovan authorities gave tacit approval to elections for Russian Duma in Transnistria

More than 20 civic organisations in Moldova have signed a Petition that calls on the Russian Federation to refrain from opening polling stations in the eastern region of Moldova. Russia’s intention to arrange elections in the eastern region of the country is a defiance of international law as well as of the legislation of Moldova as a state based on the rule of law. Moreover, the lack of transparency by the officials in Moscow is a violation of the rights of the Russian citizens who reside in Moldova and are eligible to vote. We consider that this fact calls for action on the part of the Russian civil society, Ion Manole, president of the organisation Promo-Lex, told a news conference on Thursday, November 29. Manole cited the statements of Vasili Volkov, a member of the Russian Central Election Commission, who said that the list of 358 polling stations outside Russia had been extended by opening additional 36 stations in Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria. The Russian CEC has published the list of polling stations to be opened in Georgia (Abkhazia and South Ossetia), but avoided publishing information on the opening of polling stations in Moldova (Transnistria). Oazu Nantoi, director of the Association Incredere, accused the Russian Federation of disrespecting the sovereignty of Moldova and urged the civil society to take action by informing the International Community. The Russian Embassy in Chisinau has earlier released a statement refuting the allegations of defiance of Moldova’s sovereignty as erroneous. The diplomatic mission has cited in support the principles of international law that grant extra-territorial status for any place where overseas troops are stationed. And this gives Russia the right to hold elections in the Transnistrian region without prior consent of Moldova’s leadership. Asked to comment on these statements, Oazu Nantoi said that Russia plays a two-track game, where, under the pretext of ensuring voting rights for the military stationed in the region, it will open as many as 23 polling places, as the Transnistrian agency Olvia-press reported. The signatories to the Petition also say that the opening of polling stations for the Duma elections might have the tacit approval of the Moldovan authorities. The fact that Moldova’s CEC announced it would send observers to Russia, despite OSCE’s refusal to do that, demonstrates that Moldova tries to stick to the rules of a partnership believed to be valid by Chisinau, but which is neglected by the Kremlin, Oazu Nantoi said. The Petition is open to everyone willing to sign. So far, it has been supported by organisations like Promo Lex, Lawyers for Human Rights, Incredere, CReDO, ADER, SIEDO, and other. The signatories call on the leadership of Moldova, in the event the elections are held in the eastern region of Moldova, to take action against the deliberate interference in Moldova’s domestic affairs, including by declaring, as an ultimate measure, the top officials of the Russian Embassy as personae non gratae. Earlier this month, the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration informed the Russian Embassy that the opening of polling booths for Duma elections is legally possible only in the premises of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau. Moldova has urged the Russian authorities to refrain from opening polling stations in the eastern region of the country, which is outside the control of the legal authorities, as well as from using mobile ballot boxes in the cities of Balti and Comrat. In case illegal polling stations are opened in the Transnistrian region, the full responsibility for the consequences will be on those who organised them.