“The initiative to introduce the uninominal voting system proposed by the Democratic Party of Moldova is an initiative of a dispersed party that does not enjoy the population’s support, but want to remain in power.” “The uninominal system offers equal chances of participation in elections and it’s not true that this system promotes only those who have bigger capacity and capital, and is simultaneously a solution for reunifying the country.” Differing opinions on the issue were stated in the international conference “Replacement of the electoral system: Pros and Cons”, IPN reports.
Leader of the Party “Auction and Solidarity” (PAS) Maia Sandu said the political class should be replaced and the people want this. The lack of integrity is the biggest problem of the political class. Justice is the best filter for cleaning the political class. Party funding is another important aspect for those who are preoccupied with the integrity of the political class. The PAS does not support the bill to introduce the uninominal voting system proposed by the Democratic Party and gives preference to the voting system based on open lists. The uninominal voting system could lead to the rigging of the parliamentary elections and undermining of parties. Ensuring of the vote for the diaspora, during two days, by one responsible institution is what should concern the political class.
Minister of Justice Vladimir Cebotari said there are no problems as regards the implementation of the uninominal voting system one year and a half before the elections from legal viewpoint and this system is not a novelty for Moldova. It is not right that the diaspora does not support the uninominal voting system as there are both opinions for and against it and the bill was proposed for public debates so as to improve it. ”Problems can be encountered only as regards the recalling of the candidate, but there are solutions that can be compliant with the constitutional framework. The system promotes people with good qualities, who can prove that they do good things by their work, while polls show that the people want the current voting system to be changed. The uninominal system offers equal chances of participation in elections and it’s not true that this system promotes only those who have bigger capacity and capital, and is simultaneously a solution for reunifying the country,” stated the minister.
Socialist MP Vasile Bolea said the uninominal voting system from legal viewpoints is not the most suitable one and was introduced in legislative procedure to make the people discuss the issue and to distract attention from more important matters. The Democrats’ bill to introduce the uninominal voting system seems unfinished and does not contain provisions about runoff elections in constituencies. There are also many questions about voting in the diaspora. The Constitution does not provide for the recalling of MPs and the mechanism proposed by the Democratic Party runs counter to the supreme law and cannot be implemented.
The international conference “Replacement of the electoral system: Pros and Cons” was organized by the Kondrad-Adenauer Stiftung and Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung Moldova in partnership with the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT and the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”.
