Violations of the right to vote of persons with disabilities were also found at the general local elections on October 20. At a press conference held at the IPN by Alexandru Cebanaș and Valerian Mămăliga, lawyers of the Institute for Human Rights of Moldova, it was mentioned that following the monitoring of the elections, there was formulated a constructive and realistic criticism.
"Our practical recommendations and suggestions are presented in the spirit of professional cooperation with all those interested in promoting a fair, modern and transparent electoral process," said Alexandru Cebanaș.
IDOM lawyer mentioned that the activities of observing the general local elections have a special significance for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and for exercising the rights of people with mental disabilities to participate in the act of their country’s governance.
According to the IDOM findings, at the temporary placement centre for persons with disabilities (CPTPD) Hâncești no mobile ballot box was requested on the territory of the institution and only eight out of the 183 people with voting rights were transported to the polling station.
The lack of a mobile ballot box was found at the CPTPD Cocieri, while at the Psychiatric Hospital located in Codru settlement the mobile ballot box was not equipped with a special panel that would have ensured the secret of vote.
Also, at the CPTPD Balti there were people who wanted to vote by means of mobile ballot box, but did not find themselves on the electoral rolls for the mobile ballot box. Other people have exercised their right to vote in this manner.
"The presented data were collected through direct observation by a network of 30 independent observers, duly accredited by the Central Election Commission.
Monitoring the observance of electoral rights in psychiatric hospitals and temporary placement centres for persons with disabilities in the general local elections on October 20 was carried out with the financial support of the East Europe Foundation.
