In the last two weeks of the election campaign, the election observation mission of the Promo-LEX Association identified at least five cases in which members of religious denominations were involved in political campaigning, which is prohibited by law. The activities carried out were in support of particular candidates. Images of religious buildings were also used in electoral promotion materials, IPN reports.
The fourth report of the observation mission contains the findings detected from 1 to 15 October.
The observers also found that, although only the Renaissance Party was registered as a referendum campaigner, the organizers of this party’s electoral events actually form part of all the component parties of “Victory” Bloc. Also, the promotional materials used – bags, T-shirts, LED panels with the inscription “Victorie” – come mostly from “Victory” Bloc. Thus, the campaign for the referendum is, de facto, carried out by the same bloc whose registration was refused by the CEC.
During the monitored period, the Promo-LEX observers ascertained the abusive use of administrative resources in 114 cases, mostly in the case of the Party of Action and Solidarity and Maia Sandu (105 cases). A number of officials were involved in campaign activities, especially by the PAS. Prime Minister Dorin Recean had meetings with voters, where he discussed European integration projects and encouraged to support Maia Sandu. Also, a number of ministers were involved in the election campaign and distributed promotional materials in support of Maia Sandu and the “YES” option in the referendum.
There were also identified cases of use of state institutions for the purpose of accumulating electoral advantages, cases of involvement of civil servants in electoral activities during working hours, as well as the attribution by candidates of merits for public works carried out with public funds.
