PDM's complaint on electoral debates to be re-considered by Appellate Court

The Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) Friday returned for re-examination in the Chisinau Appellate Court the case started by Democratic Party (PDM). It had sued the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) to organize electoral debates only after the registration of all the electoral competitors, Info-Prim Neo reports. The PDM considers that this way the rights of the competitors already registered are violated. The Appellate Court, on February 25, to cancel the case, since the the PDM's representative did not have a proxy from the party. Now Andrei Volentir came with a proxy, although he believes it is not necessary because he is the PDM's representative with consulting right at the CEC. The SCJ canceled the decision of the Appellate Court and returned the case for reconsideration. Andrei Volentir is satisfied with the SCJ's writ. “However, I hoped the court would have considered the CEC's decision as such since it is already producing effects and breeches the rights of the competitors already registered,” Volentir said. The registration deadline was March 5, at midnight. The electoral debates on radios and TV stations will start on February 9. “All we have to do now is to gain a victory to satisfy us morally,” said the PDM's representative. Yet, CEC member Pavel Midrigan considers the party should give up. “I think this issue will settle since the debates are already starting, all the contestants will attend debates in equal conditions and nobody's rights will be violated,” Midrigan has told journalists. The regulation on media covering the April 5 elections, adopted by the CEC, provides that the debates will be held only after the expiration of the registration term under the Election Code. Broadcasters may hold electoral debates not less than 90 minutes a day in at least one program.