To ensure the principle of transparency and integrity in local elections, the candidates are sometimes excessively cautious. They rather do not take particular actions than to violate a new rule stipulated in the Electoral Code, Viorel Rusu, legal expert of the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova, said in a public debate hosted by IPN.

“The people weren’t appropriately prepared as even the assessments of the Code were carried out very swiftly. This evidently has an imprint. There are a lot of players in the election process. They are in the process of studying, ask the Central Election Commission and don’t know how to act. Particular problems are encountered here. Evidently, these shortcomings will be removed, but it should be a lesson for the future as the Electoral Code is a rather serious document that should be discussed, adopted and implemented during a longer period of time,” stated Viorel Rusu.

Asked if this context will cause difficulties to election contenders and even circumstances for violations and the integrity of the local elections will be this way affected, Viorel Rusu said that there are such challenges, but they will be gradually overcome. The monitoring reports will show if transparency and integrity in the local elections were violated or not. “The election contenders are afraid to use information of public interest, financial resources and they often do not do anything so as not to make mistakes. So, they stagnate and this affects the election process more or less,” said the expert, noting that the candidates often are excessively cautious in their actions and those who don’t hold posts dare to do more than those who hold office and suspended their work.

Asked about the limits for ensuring transparency and about the information that the candidates should present or should not, Viorel Rusu said the election contenders are evidently exposed to particular risks, including as regards their private life, but the legislation is now stricter in terms of attacks, interference or threats and this is welcome. The responsible authorities should be rather alert to all these aspects.

The public debate entitled “Transparency and integrity in local elections” was staged by IPN News Agency in the framework of the project “Stimulation of discussion in the mass media about traditional particularities of local elections and the need for Europeanization” which is supported by Soros Foundation Moldova.