The data of the After Poll carried out by an initiative group representing civil society shows Igor Dodon and Maia Sandu are the favorites. The data collected by phone shows independent candidate Igor Dodon, who is supported by the Party of Socialists, would gain 40.9% of the vote, while the PAS candidate Maia Sandu – 34.6%. The study authors noted the refusal rate was rather high, of 37%. The first results were presented after the closure of polls, IPN reports.
According to the preliminary results, the Our Party’s candidate Renato Usatyi would poll 11.5% of the vote, the Shor Party’s candidate Violeta Ivanov – 6.3%, the PPPDA candidate Andrei Năstase – 2.9%, the PUN candidate Octavian Țîcu – 2.9%, the UNION Bloc’s candidate Dorin Chirtoacă – 1.35%, the PLDM candidate Tudor Deliu – 0.9%.
In a press briefing, sociologist Vasile Cantarji, of CBS Research, said that almost 4,000 persons were contacted between 12 noon and 8pm, over 2,500 of whom had already voted. However, only 1,514 agreed to answers the questions, the refusal rate being high. This could be due to the harsh attacks on this exercise launched by particular state institutions. The calls continue so as to reach the final sample.
Valeriu Pașa, “WatchDog.MD” expert, said the phone interviews will be conducted until 9:30pm and the final results will be presented at 10pm. The poll does not include the respondents from the diaspora and those from the Transnistrian region. Respectively, the election results will be different.
Independent analyst Victor Ciobanu said that a slight rise in the rating of Maia Sandu is anticipated after the counting of the votes of the electors from the diaspora and the Transnistrian region. The voter turnout is lower than at the previous elections. At the same time, the diaspora reached a record, giving an example of civic attitude to elections.
Institute for Public Policy director Arcadie Barbăroșie noted that such an exercise, “After Poll”, is carried out for the first time, but the CEC’s and the President’s brutal reactions to it are unclear. But these changed their opinion rather swiftly. The number of those who refused to answer is rather high. There is distrust in telephone polling, but the people also fear that their voting option will become known. The study authors do not allow something like this.
Independent expert Ștefan Gligor said he considers the high refusal rate is due to the fact that a particular category of voters fear they will be identified and penalties could follow. A considerable role was played by the denial of the research.
A similar exercise will be conducted in eventual runoffs.
