Russia intends to open polling stations in Transnistrian region again

The Central Election Commission of Russia decided to open polling stations in the breakaway regions from the ex-Soviet area, including the Transnistrian region. According to Russian press reports quoted by Info-Prim Neo, the Russian central election authority decided to open in Tiraspol ten polling stations for the presidential elections that will be held in Russia on March 2. Last December, Russia opened in Transnistria polling stations for the State Duma elections. The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration informed then the Russian Embassy that the opening of polling booths for Duma elections is legally possible only in the premises of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau. Moldova urged the Russian authorities to refrain from opening polling stations in the eastern region of the country, which is outside the control of the legal authorities. But Moscow did not take into account Chisinau’s stance. The Transnistrian news agency “Olvia-press” announced that ten polling stations were opened in Tiraspol on December 2, six in Bender, by two in Dubasari and Rabnita and by one in Slobozia, Dnestrovsc, Grigoriopol and Krasnoie. A team with a mobile ballot box travelled to Camenca.