The Shor Party’s candidate in single-member constituency No. 38 Hâncești, Vitalie Balinschi, was removed from the electoral race by a decision of the Supreme Court of Justice, which accepted the Central Election Commission’s request and quashed the ruling of the Chisinau City Appeals Court. The decision was taken in the evening of March 13. The information was confirmed for IPN by the CEC’s spokeswoman Rodica Sârbu.

According to Rodica Sârbu, the ballots will be reprinted so that these include only five election runners. The court judgment will be transmitted to the Electoral Council of the Hâncești Electoral District, which will have to annul the decision to register the candidate and to modify the decision by which the text written on the ballot was approved.

In a press briefing, Vitalie Balinschi said he was shocked by the Supreme Court of Justice’s judgment that was passed one day before the election day and this shows that Moldova was captured by a “small tsar” who influences judges, making reference to President Igor Dodon. Vitalie Balinschi noted he will challenge the judgment in the European Court of Human Rights and is confidence that he will win. According to him, the March 15 elections will be rigged by Dodon and the Socialists. He called on the international institutions to monitor the elections and not to recognize their outcome.

A week ago, the Central Election Commission requested the Chisinau City Appeals Court to annul the registration of the Shor Party’s candidate Vitalie Balinschi as a contender in single-member constituency No. 38 Hâncești because he didn’t respect the electoral legislation and used undeclared financial resources and tangible assets. Shortly afterward, the Appeals Court rejected the Commission’s application. The CEC filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Justice.