Diplomatic Missions in Moldova call authorities' attention to problems cited in first round of elections

The diplomatic missions accredited to Moldova note concerns about the conduct of the first round of elections, and call authorities' attention to the importance of correcting in the December 17 run-off election some of the problems cited by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE), the OSCE Mission to Moldova, and local and international observers during the first round. According to a joint statement of diplomatic missions, cited by Info-Prim, the problems noted by the observers are the unequal campaign conditions and preferential access to media, as well as the inaccuracy of voting lists. The diplomatic missions welcome the commitments made by the Government of Moldova and local authorities in Gagauzia that the December 3, 2006, elections and any possible run-off elections for Gagauz Governor (Bashkan) be held in accordance with international standards for democratic elections. According to the foreign diplomats the first round of voting was generally conducted in an orderly manner and was a clear improvement in comparison with earlier elections in Gagauzia. This serves as further proof that strong regional autonomy can exist within a democratic, sovereign, and territorially whole Republic of Moldova. The Heads of Mission signatories to this statement consider that these elections are an important opportunity to demonstrate to all throughout Moldova and to the international community that the Republic of Moldova respects and enforces the principles of autonomy, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. “We therefore, again, urge all authorities to ensure full respect for the law on elections of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia within the Republic of Moldova and to make the second round of elections genuinely free, fair and democratic”, is emphasized in the statement. The Joint Statement was signed by the Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Moldova, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, OSCE Mission to Moldova, Embassies of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of Hungary, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Poland, Republic of Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.