CEC puts off examination of Moldova Noastra Alliance’s petition

The Central Election Committee (CEC) postponed Tuesday the examination of the petition submitted by “Moldova Noastra” Alliance (AMN), which claims violations of the Electoral Code in two TV shows. CEC members put off the petition’s examination for the next session, arguing that the necessary evidence was presented just before the sitting, so that CEC members did not succeed in getting familiar with them. AMN informed CEC regarding a Pro TV channel’s show, dated February 26, during which the guest, the leader of the Christian Democratic People’s Party, Vice Speaker Iurie Rosca urged people to vote for PPCD in the elections, ignoring the host’s attempts to avoid electoral campaigning, the petitioners said. CEC was also informed a NIT channel’s show, broadcasted on March 3, with participation of President Vladimir Voronin, at which the hosts “encouraged electoral campaigning, while Voronin made negative campaigning against certain political parties and urged people to vote for PCRM”. AMN insists that the petition be examined and the cases be analysed, as well as to undertake concrete measures to guarantee the fairness of the upcoming elections, before excluding the guilty parties from the electoral competition. In a recent statement, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Louis O’Neill, called on Moldovan authorities to ensure equal conditions for the activities of political parties before the local elections expected to be held in June. The Ambassador is deeply concerned that the impediments opposition parties seem to face may have serious implications for their ability to engage in political activities, including preparations for this year local elections.