The vice-president of the Central Electoral Commission Rodica Ciubotaru has announced she is quitting in protest at “the latest attempts to modify the electoral legislation,” which she says “compromises the independence of a CEC mandate and undermines the authority of the electoral body.”

Ciubotaru wrote today in a Facebook post that the recent electoral amendments could weaken the credibility of the electoral process and confuse voters. “The citizen will conclude that the electoral process is only a tool with which those in power operate and that his or her vote is no longer an essential element of democracy,” said Rodica Ciubotaru.

She added that she had been guided her work by respect for democratic standards, the Constitution and the laws of Moldova. “I have no regrets and remorse. It was an honor for me to work in a dedicated and professional team,” said the former vice-president of the Central Electoral Commission.

Rodica Ciubotaru was appointed a CEC member in June 2016.

Iurie Ciocan relinquished his CEC membership at the end of last week and on Tuesday CEC president Alina Russu quit her job too. Iurie Ciocan explained that previously a CEC member could only be removed by courts. Now, under a recent amendment, CEC members can be revoked by Parliament.