A Promo-LEX mobile team of observers reported that while they were traveling by car, they were followed by unidentified persons in Frasin, Dondușeni district, where polling stations no. 13/13 and 13/14 are located. This is one out of several obstruction case of the election observation process, reported by the observers.
In an IPN press conference, the head of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the local general and new parliamentary elections of October 20 and November 3, Pavel Postica, said that when the mobile team was visiting the village of Frasin, it was followed by a Volkswagen minibus. The man behind the wheel took pictures of the mobile team's car, then made phone calls. After 30 minutes, the Volkswagen minibus that was following the mobile team was spotted near a polling station.
Another election observation obstruction case took place at the polling station no. 12/5, in Bălăbănești village, Criuleni district. Observers can't monitor the entire voting process at this polling station. The bserver designated space is located behind a wall, which offers limited visibility. From behind the wall, observers are unable to view the activity of the operators and members of the electoral bureau. In order to observe the whole process, observers need to stand near the desks of the clerks. "We should consider moving the poling station into another location, as to ensure the ability to observe the entire electoral process", said Pavel Postica.
According to him, these cases are publicly reported, thus they can be qualified as referrals to the electoral bodies, which should ensure that the elections are properly carried out. In case of incidents, according to observers, either police or election officials intervene to a large extent. Pavel Postica expressed his hope that the authorities will intervene in the case of the Frasin incident in order to avoid any suspicion.
"One thing is certain. We are watching the electoral process, while electoral competitors are watching our observers. I do not know if this is good or bad, we only report what happened, nothing more", said the head of the Observation Mission.
In the second round of the local elections of November 3, the Promo-LEX Mission has 41 mobile teams that monitor the electoral process in 384 level one and level two constituencies. Another 307 short-term observers were delegated to polling stations located in Chișinău and in the suburbs. The observers will also carry out the parallel counting of votes for the position of general mayor of Chișinău.
