ODIHR to watch election coverage on 5 Moldovan televisions

The Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights (ODIHR) will observe the way in which 5 Moldovan TV station cover the elections, mission head Nikolai Vulchanov told a news conference in Chisinau on Thursday. ODIHR is a structure of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) which observe electoral processes and the respect of human rights in the member countries, Info-Prim Neo reports. The head of the observers mission, who will watch the electoral race and the ballot on April 5 in Moldova, says he's aware other teams of monitors also observe the way in which the Moldovan TV stations cover the elections. “We'll try to meet them, we'll take into account their appreciations, but we'll insert only our findings in our reports,” said Nikolai Vulchanov. The Electronic Press Association and the Independent Journalism Center already made public reports concluding that at least 4 TV stations, including the broadcaster paid by the tax-payers -- Teleradio-Moldova, violate the provisions of the Electoral Code in terms of ensuring the political and social balance. The ODIHR mission will develop several reports on conducting the race. By March 12, the first preliminary report will be ready, and the second -- after two weeks, but the experts will limit themselves to just stating the observed facts, in them. Immediately after closing the ballot boxes, but before the end of the election process, ODIHR will publicize a preliminary report, and, after two month – a final report in which they will analyze whether the manner of conducting elections complies with the national and international legislation. “If the final report is negative, then it will be negative,” said the mission head, when asked to answer what will happens if the report contains negative findings. The task to state the legality of the elections rests with the national authorities, Nikolai Vulchanov insisted. ODIHR will invite twice as many observers to watch these elections, than in the 2005 parliamentary elections, “in order to show our interest for the April 5 elections.” 13 of them have already come, 24 will arrive over the weekend, and 200 more will come a couple of days before the balloting day.