Former election runner asserts elections in Ghidighici were fixed

The elections in Ghidighici took place with violations and the results were rigged, head of the Social Development Center Oleg Bolotnikov, who ran for the mayoralty of this settlement, told a news conference on June 9, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Oleg Bolotnikov, the observers delegated by the Social Development Center to monitor the voting process there reported multiple irregularities as regards vote counting and signing of the voting reports. The observers established that the report concerning the opening of a polling place and initiation of the voting process contained only the signatures of the members of the electoral office, but the number of ballots was not indicated. A number of persons were seen taking the ballots out of the polling place. “Though the observers drew attention to these violations, nothing was done,” said Oleg Bolotnikov. As to the vote count, the identified violations include access of foreign persons to the polling place. Oleg Bolotnikov said he informed the relevant bodies about these irregularities and is waiting for a reaction. Cristina Cojocari, head of the electoral office No. 300 established in Ghidighici, has told Info-Prim Neo that the information made public by Oleg Bolotnicov is incorrect. The voting process in the settlement took place in accordance with the law. “If Oleg Bolotnicov has proofs, he should better present them to the competent institutions,” said Cristina Cojocari. Oleg Bolotnikov polled 1.13% of the vote in Ghidighici.