Solutions should be urgently identified to ensure the proper conduct of the snap parliamentary elections in the country and outside it, said the Promo-LEX Observation Mission, addressing the Central Electoral Commission, the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, IPN reports.
The CEC revised its previous decision to open 44 polling stations for Transnistrian voters, excluding the 3 polling stations that were to be established in the Transnistrian region. Nicolae Panfil, Promo-LEX program director, said this is welcome as the municipality of Bender (2 PSs) is situated in a zone that is not controlled by the constitutional authorities and security there cannot be ensured, while in Corjova commune (1 Ps), control is ensured partially.
As to the opening of polling stations abroad, Promo-LEX notes that this process was contested, the case being examined and resolved within 11 days. The delay in this case seems to be justified, given the large number of participants in the process, the large number of appeals filed by parties, the rejection of the exception of unconstitutionality, as well as the complexity of the subject under consideration. In connection with the CEC’s final decision to set up 150 PSs abroad, Promo-LEX says the deadline for setting up polling stations was June 5, 2021, hence the intense efforts made by CEC and MFAEI to ensure the good organization and conduct of overseas voting is praiseworthy.
The Mission of Promo-LEX points out the lack of campaign activities attended by candidates in the Transnistrian region. On the other hand, the contenders organized at least 11 electoral meetings abroad, which were attended by candidates. During the reference period, there were reported at least 61 cases that can be considered use of administrative resources for electoral purposes, by: BECS – 28 cases, PDM and BERU – 9 cases each, PPPDA – 5 cases, PAS – 4 cases, PPȘ – 3 cases, PDCM – 2 cases and AUR – one case.
Promo-LEX observers also reported a case that could be considered as an act of offering gifts with electoral impact, which targeted a PPPDA candidate. There were also reported five cases (three – PAS and by one case – BECS and AUR) where images/state symbols of the Republic of Moldova or other states were used.
There were at least six cases of campaign activities that targeted religious cults. Among them, four cases targeted BECS and by one case – AUR and PAS.
Promo-LEX says the election campaign continues to be marked by intimidation and use of violence, with at least 7 such cases being identified. AUR is involved in 5 cases – in 3 cases they were assaulted, and in 2 cases AUR was held responsible for intimidation/violence. BECS and PACE are targeted as intimidated parties in one case each.
The report covers the period between June 9 and June 22.
