The head of the Association of Moldovans in the UK Laura Sili considers the diaspora does not know much about the September 24 referendum initiated by President Igor Dodon. Even less is known about the procedure for registering beforehand for taking part in the plebiscite. Despite the collective wish of the diaspora to take an active part in the decision-making process at home, there is increasing frustration and disappointment in the obstacles placed in its path.
Interviewed by IPN, Laura Sili said that she and many Moldovans from the diaspora want to keep pace with the changes at home, but they cannot keep all things in focus. “Initially, I thought that only I didn’t know about this procedure, but a poll that covered the Facebook group that we manage showed that only two persons of the about 60 surveyed knew about the initiation of registration. This fact wasn’t disseminated and, even if we were informed about a note included in the informative bulletin of the Bureau of Diaspora Relations, I consider many other platforms used by the diaspora could have been used if the intention was for the diaspora to really take part in this process,” stated the head of the Association of Moldovans in the UK.
Laura Sili noted there was great confusion before the elections owing to the procedure for registering beforehand as the Moldovans abroad erroneously thought that this procedure could prevent them from voting if they didn’t manage to register on the Central Election Commission’s website. This mechanism can be efficient only if it is transparent and is implemented to facilitate voting, not to promote the interests of those who will run.
Laura Sili does not think that the number of diaspora participants in the September referendum will be high. “I hope the Moldovans everywhere will mobilize, as they did before last year’s elections, but it is hard to travel long distances to be able to vote. However, I hope particular questions will sensitize the Moldovans and these will not allow a President that is not wanted by half of the people to change the history, language and to take roots in the administration of the state,” she said.
During July 11 – August 9, the Moldovans eligible to vote, who will be abroad on the referendum day, can register beforehand to be able to vote through www.alegator.md or by submitting a written application to Moldova’s embassy or consular office in the country where they are. Those who will register beforehand will be automatically struck off the voter rolls at the place of domicile in Moldova, but only for this year’s referendum. According to the Central Election Commission, the move is aimed at enabling to determine the estimative number of voters abroad so as to establish additional polling places there.
The referendum initiated by President Igor Dodon will include four questions, about the conversion of the emergency loans provided by the National Bank of Moldova to three bankrupt banks into a state debt, offering of additional powers to the President to dissolve Parliament in other conditions than the current one, opportuneness of reducing the number of MPs from 101 to 71 and teaching of the History of Moldova course in schools.
