First four parties register for April vote

The first four political parties registered today with the Central Election Commission (CEC) to be able to participate in the parliamentary elections this spring. The registration order was determined by a draw, which placed the Liberal Party (PL) first, followed by the Christian Democratic People's Party (PPCD), the Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM), and the Communists Party (PCRM), respectively, Info-Prim Neo reports. PL's application was filed by Chisinau city councilor Ion Ciobanu, who declared that his party will walk the election race under the slogan “The Change”. Having won the draw, Ciobanu said the outcomes of the elections will be the same. PPCD's application was submitted by the party's vice president Vlad Cubreacov, who came to CEC accompanied by the second vice president Stefan Secareanu and the PPCD leader Iurie Rosca. The latter said he was confident that the PPCD would clear the 6 percent required to enter the parliament. Moreover, he said the PPCD would receive most of the popular vote. “There will be three, four parties at most in Parliament”, he added. PLDM's application files were brought to the CEC by the party's leader Vlad Filat, accompanied by PLDM senior vice president Alexandru Tanase. Filat said his party seeks to obtain as much as possible votes in the April 5 polls. “The first name on the PCRM's list is President Vladimir Voronin”, said MP Maria Boico, who lodged the application with the CEC. She told reporters the PCRM is looking for its third consecutive victory in the parliamentary polls. The registration of candidates will be continuing. The CEC will scrutinize every electoral list submitted, which must contain at least 51 and at most 101 names. Particular attention will be paid to holders of dual citizenship, who under recent legal amendments must reveal this aspect when running for a public office. The candidates currently holding a public office must request suspension, among them Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca. The applications and the lists will be examined within 7 days, upon the expiry of which CEC shall deliver a decision on whether to allow a party to participate or not, with reasons explained. CEC Secretary Iurie Ciocan stated that there is a fifty-fifty chance that some applications will not pass. If qualified, the registered parties may officially start campaigning. The registration will continue today until 4:00 PM. Another drawing of lots will be held at 5:00 PM to determine the order of the registered parties in the ballot. Tomorrow the registration will continue between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.