The Observation Mission of Promo-LEX Association for the May 20 new mayoral elections reported a number of cases of electoral agitation, organized transportation of voters and photographing of ballots. According to the Mission’s head Pavel Postica, the total number of incidents reported on the election day by the observers is higher than those of irregularities identified during the referendum on the dismissal of the mayor general, which took place in November 2017. A reason is the difference between the participation rates, with the rate in the referendum being lower, IPN reports.
In the press briefing at 7:30pm, which is the last for May 20, Pavel Postica said among the main irregularities is the inappropriate sealing of ballots at a number of polling places in Chisinau. According to him, the Election Commission should take meausures in this regard, without modifying the regualtions concerning the number of seals for a ballot box.
The observers of Promo-LEX in Balti reported six cases of unjustified presence of unauthorized persons inside polling places or within 50 meters of the polling place. In three cases, persons campaigned in Balti and Chisinau, with observers being ivolved in two of these cases.
In 27 cases, the observers of Promo-LEX identified inaccuracy or discrepancy between the addresses of voters and the electoral registers. There were reported at least 13 cases of photographing of ballots. Most of the times the functionaries intervened and the images were deleted at request. At two polling places in Chisinau, by at least one person voted without submitting an application for voting at the place of stay.
The polling places close at 9pm.