CEC calls on Speaker Marian Lupu to refrain from campaigning for the ruling party

The Central Election Commission (CEC) recommended Speaker Marian Lupu to refrain from using his important position and public resources for supporting and promoting the candidates of the ruling party. CEC took this decision following a complaint lodged with the electoral authority by the Social Liberal Party (PSL), concerning a meeting with voters held in Telenesti by the speaker. CEC also called on the Town Hall of Telelesti to ensure equal conditions for all electoral competitors in what concerns meetings with electors. In addition, the Telenesti District Election Council was warned over unnecessary expenses of public money and over favouring the Party of Communists (PCRM) by organising Lupu’s meeting with voters. At the same time, PCRM was warned to refrain from using public resources in the election campaign. Five out of nine CEC members backed the decision, with those four who voted against being proposed to the office by the ruling party. PSL has previously announced that on May 13, in Telenesti, the leader of the party Oleg Serebrian could not meet with the voters as planned because the respective hall was occupied by Speaker Marian Lupu, who was having a meeting with the supporters of the Communist Party (PCRM). PSL claimed that though Lupu took part in an electoral event, he came with the cars of the Parliament accompanied by officers of the State Guard Service. The Speaker’s Office denied the accusations later in a press release. “Such affirmations cannot be interpreted otherwise than an attempt by the Social Liberal Party to label the local elections non-free and to insinuate that the election outcomes would be subject to electoral fraud”, the press release said.