Reducing the number of polling stations for voters in the Transnistrian region from 30 to 12 could reduce electoral participation. This is the opinion of the head of the Promo-LEX election observation mission, Nicolae Panfil. According to him, the optimal number would be 28 stations, which would ensure a balance between security and democratic access to voting, IPN reports.
Nicolae Panfil stated, during the conference presenting the second report of the Observation Mission, that, analyzing the dynamics of participation in the last three elections, the almost threefold reduction in the number of polling stations for voters on the left bank of the Nistru River does not seem sufficiently justified. He emphasized that the organization of polling stations for voters in the Transnistrian region must be approached in a broader context, which is related to the need for democratization and reintegration of the uncontrolled area.
“The Promo-LEX observation mission has consistently supported the need to ensure access to voting for voters in the districts on the left bank of the Nistru River as a measure to promote the right of citizens in the region to participate in national democratic political processes”, Nicolae Panfil revealed.
At the same time, Promo-LEX confirms the existence of potential risks of tainting the vote of voters in the Transnistrian region, through means such as electoral bribery and organized transportation to polling stations.
Nicolae Panfil mentioned that the intensification of risks to the integrity and security of the electoral process is caused both by the lack of effective control of the constitutional authorities over the region, and by the restricted access of electoral competitors, observers and the media to the respective territory.
For the parliamentary elections on September 28, 12 polling stations will be opened for voters from localities in the Transnistrian region, 18 fewer than in the 2024 elections.
