Decision on AMN's plea for extra polling stations to be delivered Wednesday

The Moldova Noastra Alliance (AMN) today submitted a request to the Chisinau Court of Appeals to order the Central Election Commission (CEC) to open 20 additional poling stations in the countries where Moldovan citizens reside or work. However, CEC insists that the plan would contradict the Election Code and that there isn't enough money to put it into life. The Court is to deliver a decision on the matter on Wednesday, February 25. The AMN's plea was examined by the Court on Monday. The AMN seeks to make CEC open 5 polling places in Romania, by three in Italy, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, two in Portugal, and one in Ireland. AMN's lawyer Nicolae Railean said the party has been receiving dozens of requests from Moldovan citizens who are abroad and who want to vote on April 5 in Moldova's legislative elections. The AMN believes the opening of the polling places is not barred by the electoral laws, but is obstructed by the absence of a political will. CEC representative Pavel Midrigan said the request had no legal ground, arguing that the Election Code makes no mention of polling places other than those opened at the Moldovan embassies and consulates for the diplomatic corps and their families, as well as for the Moldovan citizens residing in that country, regardless of their number. Midrigan, however, has admitted that the great numbers of Moldovans residing abroad is a problem, but says that CEC lacks the necessary legal leverages to set up more polling stations. Judge Ala Borta adjourned the court until Wednesday, 9:30, to give the CEC side time time to prepare the final summation.