A larger number of polling stations for the snap parliamentary elections could be established for the diaspora than for last year’s presidential elections, said the president of the Central Election Commission Dorin Cimil. He noted they are considering the figure of 190 polling stations, but a final decision will be taken on June 5, IPN reports.
According to the official, the experience accumulated in the presidential elections last year shows that the Moldovans who form part of the diaspora are eager to take part in elections, but the decision concerning the number of polling stations will be taken in strict compliance with the Electoral Code.
“We will take a decision in accordance with the three criteria stipulated in the Electoral Code, namely the number of pre-registered voters, the number of voters who took part in the last national elections, figure that is known, and the official number of Moldovan citizens in the respective countries,” Dorin Cimil stated in the program “Moldova Live” on the public TV channel Moldova 1.
According to the CEC president, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration proposed increasing the number of polling stations for the diaspora after having discussions with resident ambassadors.
“The figure proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is only approximate - 190 polling stations, as against 139 at the previous elections. We also received other proposals from civil society. We will examine all the proposals and will present our decision. In the cities where a large number of voters was recorded at the presidential elections, we will establish additional stations so that everyone is able to vote,” stated Dorin Cimil.
A number of 139 polling stations in 36 countries were established for the presidential elections held last year. A polling station was provided with at most 5,000 ballots. According to CEC data, 260,000 Moldovans voted outside the county in the presidential runoff.
