The Central Election Commission (CEC) declared null and void the results of the mayoral elections held in Bubuieci commune of Chisinau municipality on November 5 and 19, 2023, and set the rerun elections for February 11, 2024. The National Alternative Movement Party (MAN), on behalf of which Leonid Umaneț who was elected mayor in November ran in elections, described the decision as “lawless”, IPN reports.

The ballot paper on February 11 will include the candidates who participated in the first round of voting, on November 5, 2023, in the order decided by the electoral body, except for candidate Leonid Umaneț.

“The CEC’s decision comes as a result of the Chisinau Court of Appeals’ decision of December 14, 2023, which was upheld by the Supreme Court of Justice’s ruling of December 22, 2023, which founds that the administrative document to register Mister Leonid Umaneț. Umanet as an election contender was illegal,” the Commission argued.

Chisinau mayor Ion Ceban, the leader of MAN, said that this is a continuation of the “anarchy” in state institutions that are politically controlled by the Party of Action and Solidarity. “Although MAN candidate for mayor in Bubuieci Leonid Umaneț presented the documents to confirm his studies, even though the MAN appealed to courts and the exception of unconstitutionality on a related file was raised, the CEC members, led by Angelica Caraman, who publicly spoke out against MAN, annulled the elections in Bubuieci, where MAN candidate Leonid Umaneț won, by violating all legal procedures and time limits,” stated Ion Ceban.

In the mayoral runoff held in Bubuieci commune last autumn, Leonid Umaneț emerged victorious with 50.75% of the ballot.