COMRAT, 30 April 2012

Piligrim-Demo starts implementation of the project “Improving election process through observation and evaluation”.

The project is aimed at improving electoral practices and legislation and bringing the electoral process in Gagauz autonomy in line with international standards for free and fair elections through observation and evaluation.

The project will observe and assess the upcoming elections to the Peoples’ Assembly of Gagauzia scheduled for 2012 from the moment of appointment of the Central Election Commission of Gagauzia till the confirmation of the election results by the Comrat Court of Appeals.

In this regard we are calling on the ATU Gagauzia authorities involved in the process of organizing and conducting the upcoming elections to ensure the transparency of the election process in all phases.

The project's team of experts will assess these elections for compliance with the legislation of ATU Gagauzia and Republic of Moldova, as well as international standards for free and fair elections. The experts will analyze the legislative framework and its implementation, and will monitor campaign activities, media coverage, and the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, as well as the resolution of election disputes.

As part of the project, experts will meet with relevant authorities, candidates, political parties, the judiciary, civil society and the media.

On Election Day, 4 mobile teams of short term observers, by two in each team, will be deployed throughout the region to monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The results of the observation and evaluation will be reflected in the interim and final reports. The results of the e-day monitoring will be reflected in a special E-day report which will be issued on the day after the elections at a press conference.

The final report will be presented at a regional conference where there will be invited representatives of regional authorities, civil society, mass-media, political parties and candidates in the elections to the Peoples’ Assembly of Gagauzia.

The project is implemented with the financial support of the Embassy of the United States in Chisinau.
For additional information please contact the coordinator of the project Mr. Mihail Sirkeli by e-mail: mihail.sirkeli@piligrim-demo.org.md or by phone 068471711.
www.piligrim-demo.org.md