The diminution in the number of polling places that will be set up in Russia for the November 30 parliamentary elections is not justified and discriminates against the Moldovan voters who are there, compared with those who are in the European Union. Such conclusions were formulated in the program “Politics” on TV 7 channel, IPN reports.
Jurist Pavel Midrigan, a former member of the Central Election Commission, believes the reduction in the number of polling places in Russia is related to the ban imposed by the Russian authorities. “In 2009, we established polling places at consulates and embassies following complaints from the democratic parties. Afterward, in the elections of 2010, we opened more polling places under pressure so that the people could exercise their right to vote,” he stated.
Director of the Resource Center for Human Rights (CREDO) Sergiu Ostaf considers that the given decision is unjustified. “There is no argumentation for such a decision. I think there is a prevailing political logic and there are no appropriate reasons. It’s known that the Moldovan citizens from Russia unusually vote for parties of the left, while the Russian TV channels propagate in favor of the Kremlin’s favorite Igor Dodon. That’s why there will definitively be accusations regarding political preference in ensuring the right to vote for particular people to the detriment of other people. The rights of the Moldovans from Russia will certainly be violated,” he said.
Political analyst Alexei Tulbure also believes that the Moldovans who are in Russia will be discriminated. “All the people, regardless of the place were they work, have the same rights. Polling places are now opened only for those who support the ruling parties. This is discrimination. I cannot understand the logic of the authorities. I think they should have provided more details about this decision so as to explain why they took it,” he stated.
The Moldovan electoral authorities decided to reduce the number of polling places in Russia from 15 to 5. In Italy, there will be established 25 polling places, while in Romania – 11.
