The organization and administration of the election were robust and the election was conducted in an impartial and professional manner, the National Democratic Institute’s international election observation mission (IEOM) in Moldova said in its initial findings and recommendations after the October 20 presidential election and constitutional referendum. At the same time, a number of issues of concern arose during the pre-election period that could undermine the credibility of the process.
In a news conference at IPN, Pekka Haavisto, co-chairman of NDI’s mission, said that NDI’s observers assessed that the opening, voting, closing and counting in the polling stations visited were transparent, that the process was calm and orderly, and that election officials followed the proper procedures established by the Central Election Commission (CEC). Also, the Electoral Code provides a solid legal basis for the presidential election and the constitutional referendum.
According to Pekka Haavisto, the delegation confirmed the key conclusions of the NDI pre-election assessment mission, that the greatest threat to the integrity of these elections has been a broad and concerted campaign of malign foreign influence from Russia collaborating with Moldovan actors through information manipulation, vote buying, and other illicit financing of political activity. „Reports of a sustained, coordinated effort to corrupt voters’ choices are concerning and we urge all Moldovans to refuse any attempt at voter corruption. If you sell your vote, you sell your freedom,” he said.
There were also concerns about the extra restrictive legal framework governing campaign activities and the use of administrative resources in the campaign.
Stephanie Rust, NDI’s Chief Programs Officer, said that based on the CEC’s preliminary results, on November 3 Moldovans will participate in a second-round presidential election between President Maia Sandu and Alexandr Stoianoglo. The NDI mission encourages both candidates to conduct peaceful campaigns that focus on the issues of importance to the Moldovan people, and for eligible voters to exercise their right to vote.
The preliminary results for the referendum indicate a close race. The delegation recognizes that the outcome of the referendum will not be decided based on preliminary results but on the official tabulation being conducted by the CEC. The mission has all confidence that the CEC will undertake this process with the highest level of professionalism and impartiality, and urges all citizens and electoral actors to peacefully await the release of the official results.
The 14-member delegation was co-led by Pekka Haavisto, Member of the Finnish Parliament and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and Stephanie Rust, NDI’s Chief Programs Officer.
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