Nearly 90 incidents have been reported during the second round of general local elections by Promo-LEX Association observers by 13:30. These include 13 instances of unwarranted presence of unauthorized persons inside the polling station or within one hundred meters of its premises, as well as ten cases of advertising materials, posters, electoral billboards found in the proximity of the polling station or within a hundred meters from its premises.
At an IPN press conference, the head of the Promo-LEX Mission for observing the general local elections and the snap parliamentary elections of October 20 (November 3), Pavel Postica, mentioned that a situation reported by observers refers to the use of the camera. It happened at polling station no. 33/21 from the town of Samurza, Taraclia district. "The video camera has not been turned off since the polling station opened, so that it is recording the entire voting process, which seems to be in contravention of the latest instructions given by the CEC to the electoral officers. A few days before this election round, it was mentioned that these cameras would only be used in the process of preparing the polling station for voting and at the counting of the ballots, without videotaping the entire process, ”noted Pavel Postica.
There have been detected two instances of unjustified group voting, with two or more persons entering together the voting booth - one at a polling station in Ciocana and another in Durlești. "In both cases, it seems that these are elderly people, who are family probably, and have helped each other cast the ballot", said Pavel Postica.
Observers have also reported two occurrences of electoral campaigning or black PR within a hundred meters of the polling station or on its premises to influence the choice of voters. Also, there were rumours, attempts or even cases of material or monetary rewards offered to voters within a hundred meters of the polling station to influence the choice of voters. In the case of polling station no. 9/12 from the town of Bravicea, Calarasi district, according to rumours, at a nearby store, alcoholic beverages are allegedly being offered for free.
There have been found seven instances when ballot boxes have not been sealed according to the legal procedures or seals were absent on the ballot boxes. One of them was attested at a polling station in Gura Galbenei, Cimișlia. The mobile ballot box was not sealed initially, the seal being applied only at the time of setting off across the settlement, at approximately 10.00 am. This station received 74 requests to vote at the place of residence.
Other reported incidents include deficiencies in the functioning of SIAS Elections system, deficiencies concerning voter rolls, taking photos of ballot papers, and other violations of vote secrecy, etc.
In the second round of the local elections on November 3, the Promo-LEX Mission has 41 mobile teams that monitor the electoral process in 384 first and second level constituencies. At the same time, 307 short-term observers have been delegated to the polling stations open on the territory of Chisinau, including the suburbs. The observers will also carry out a parallel vote tabulation for the position of general mayor of Chisinau.
