Fifteen more deputies of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia were chosen as result of the December 4 runoff elections. Thus, together with the results of the first round of voting held on November 20, deputies were elected in 32 constituencies of the 35. The elections in the other three constituencies will be rerun.

Contacted by IPN, Mihail Sirkeli, executive director of the Association “Piligrim-Demo”, which monitored the elections in Gagauzia, said no major incidents were witnessed in the voting process. However, there were established cases of voter migration when, in the first round of voting, persons voted in one constituency, while in the second round – in another constituency, having the domicile freshly changed.

Mihail Sirkeli noted there were cases when voters voluntarily made public their electoral option and when third persons tried to influence the vote of some persons. Cases of organized transportation of voters to the polling place were also identified.

The election results are to be validated by the Comrat Appeals Court. Of the 32 elected deputies, only six ran on behalf of parties – one representing the Democratic Party and five representing the Party of Socialists. Though the other candidates declared themselves independent, local civil society considers most of the elected deputies will pursue policies loyal to the Bashkan of Gagauzia Irina Vlah.

In two constituencies - No. 13 of Besalma village and No. 15 of Ceadar-Lunga village, the second round of voting is to be held in two weeks. Within 60 days, new elections will take place in constituency No. 10 of Vulcanesti. This envisions the re-fielding of candidates, collection of signatures and conduct of the election campaign.

The People’s Assembly of Gagauzia consists of 35 deputies elected for a four-year period in uninominal territorial constituencies by universal, equal, direct, secret and freely expressed vote.