European Union stresses necessity of organizing democratic elections in Gagauzia

The ambassadors of the European Union (EU), who paid a visit to the territorial administrative unit Gagauz-Yeri, emphasized the importance of the necessary conditions for a free, correct, transparent and equal electoral campaign for all the electoral candidates, according to a statement cited by Info-Prim Neo The EU ambassadors visited the autonomous region of Gaguz Yeri from southern Moldova in order to observe the electoral campaign for the region’s governorship. The elections will take place on December 3, 2006. The European officials met with the head of the Central Electoral Commission in Gagauzia, Victor Colosin and with the candidates Gheorghe Tabunscis, Nicolae Dudoglo, Alexandr Stoianoglo and Mihail Formuzal. Within the frameworks of these meetings the ambassadors urged the candidates to abstain from using administrative resources and to display transparency at each stage of the electoral process. They emphasized the importance EU ascribes to the electoral campaign which should take place in compliance with the engagements taken upon itself by Moldova within the Moldova-EU Action Plan. The EU ambassadors intend to eye the electoral campaign from Gagauz-Yeri by regularly visiting the region, the statement says. Several opposition parties alleged breaches of legislation in the electoral campaign. As well, the government party is accused of favoring Gheorghe Tabunsic, the present governor.