International observers say authorities have not eliminated the violations noted in the first round voting

The tendentiousness of certain mass-media bodies and the intimidation of the candidates representing the opposition were the main violations noted in the June 3 elections. The authorities have not made enough efforts to eliminate these violations in the second round elections, though the international observers highlighted these infringements in the first report issued, Dieter Boden, Chair of the Observation Mission of OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, stated on June 18. According to Boden, for a second time mass-media gave the opposition candidates limited possibilities to send their message. In addition, there has been noticed a campaign of negatively presenting some of the opposite candidates, especially in the state-supported mass-media. Foreign experts concluded that obviously these violations must be removed. At the same time, Boden mentioned some improvements in the voting process, mainly on election day. For example, the ambiance around the voting sections was more peaceful and the voting councils were less disturbed. The expert says that, based on future reports and recommendations, the mission will collaborate with the authorities to better the voting procedures. Susan Bolan, Chair of the Observation Mission of the European Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, thinks that the most important problem in the voting process is the secrecy of the vote. This right is being violated both when stamping the ballot prior to depositing it in the ballot box and when group voting is practiced. She also mentioned that the role and the activity of the Central Election Commission as a judicially independent body should be strengthened. Also she suggested that the Central Electoral Body should simplify the procedures of examining the complaints. Bolan considers that the second round voting process has not improved compared to the first round voting, especially in what concerns mass-media coverage. Because of “several violations recorded during the electoral campaign”, Susan Bolan avoided assessing whether the elections were free and fair.