Some of the initiative groups use administrative resources in the process of collecting signatures in favor of candidates for President. There are also cases when signatures are collected by unauthorized persons and when the real costs incurred in the collection process are not indicated. Such conclusions were reached by Promo-LEX’s October 30 presidential election observation mission that presented the second monitoring report on September 15, IPN reports.

The observers note that the Central Election Commission in the monitored period worked intensely and adopted the documents needed for implementing the calendar program. However, on September 3, the Commission could have worked to carry out its duties, including to accept applications for registering initiative groups, not yet to register candidates for President as this way it indirectly favored the Democratic Party’s candidate Marian Lupu.

The observers identified cases that can be described as use of administrative resources in the process of collecting signatures in favor of candidates Marian Lupu (PDM), Mihai Ghimpu (PL), Iurie Leanca (PPEM) and Igor Dodon (PSRM). The initiative group of Marian Lupu collected signatures in 311 communities managed by mayors of the PDM, which is about 75.12% of the 414 communities where signatures were collected. Minister of Environment Valeriu Munteanu took part in the receipt and submission of subscription lists in favor of Mihai Ghimpu during working hours. Two similar cases involved the deputy head of Cantemir district, who collected signatures in favor of Iurie Leanca, and two social workers, who took part in the collection of signatures for Igor Dodon.

Promo-LEX said both the parties and the candidates who announced their intention to run in the elections stepped up the activities of electoral character. The observers identified at least 27 such activities in favor of eight parties and potential runners.

As regards the reporting of costs, three initiative groups that presented subscription lists to the CEC in the financial reports indicated lower costs than those determined by Promo-LEX or declared zero costs.

The observation mission of Promo-LEX consists of 42 long-term observers who will monitor the election process in all the electoral districts of Moldova between August 31 and November 30.