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11 July 2021
Time: 10:00 p.m.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 informs that as of 10:30 p.m. the Mission had received 538 incident reports from observers, Promo-LEX analytical team processed 459 reports, and this press release contains information on 62 incidents.

Last details on the conduct of election:

Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 finds,

Rumours, attempts or even situations of in-kind or cash rewards offered to voters within the area of 100 m from the polling station in order to influence them – 2 cases

• PS 15/014 Dubasari, Ustia. A voter reproached the observer representing an electoral contender about rumours regarding the cash rewards from two electoral contenders (EUR 25 per vote). They started to quarrel. PEB chairperson intervened to calm things down.
• PS 18/022 Floresti, Cuhurestii de Sus. A voter provided the observer video evidence about a woman with a notepad where she had names written down, claiming that it was a list of people who received cash rewards. The man said that the respective woman was at a distance of 60 m from the polling station and she was paying the voters who voted for a specific electoral contender. Police and PEB chairperson intervened; they talked to the man, but were not able to find the woman in question.

Organised voter transportation (by buses, passenger vans or other vehicles that wouldn’t normally be around) – 1 cases.

• Cocieri, Transnistrian region. At 06:15 p.m., a Promo-LEX observer noticed a group of vehicles (at least 8 cars) that were repeatedly transporting voters to the PS 37/15, four voters each turn. The vehicles were in the vicinity of the hydroelectric power station and around 30 people were present there. Voters were promised to get 300 roubles each.

Interruption of the video recording of the electoral procedures during the election day – 5 cases.

• PS 1/245, Chisinau, Riscani. The voting process had not been filmed for about two hours. After this situation was noticed and the equipment was checked, the recording was resumed.
• PS 30/11 Straseni, Capriana. At 06:18 p.m., the observer noticed that the camera is switched off and is not directed towards the ballot box. PEB chairperson commented that the camera had been recording until 09:00 a.m. and then it was switched off and that it would be turned back on at 09:00 p.m. for the vote counting stage.
• PS 7/005 Cahul, Cahul. After the PS closed, PEB chairperson switched off the camera. When asked why he did so, he explained that he was instructed to proceed that way.
• PS 24/001, Ocnita, Ocnita. Camera does not work during vote tabulation.
• PS 25/002 Orhei, Orhei. The camera has not been repaired since the morning. A man was invited to fix the camera, but he could not. The camera was out of service during the vote tabulation.

Electioneering or  negative PR within the 100 m perimeter and/or inside the polling station to influence the choice of voters – 1 case.

• PS 4/037 Anenii Noi, Tintareni. After casting her vote, a voter started electioneering in favour of a contender within the PS. The PEB chairperson asked the person to leave the PS. The voter called her curse words and left the PS. She continued electioneering outside the PS. The observers told the STO that this voter had the same behaviour, disrupting the public order at all elections.

Unjustified termination/suspension of voting at the polling station – 1 case.

• PS 30/11 Straseni, Capriana. At 6:18 p.m., the PEB Chairperson announced a disinfection of the PS premises and suspended the voting process for 10 minutes. During the disinfection, the PEB Chairperson and janitors were inside the PS.

Acts of violence or bullying against voters or other persons — 2 cases.

• PS 38/46. At 05:22 p.m., one voter was very aggressive. She tried by herself to apply the stamp in the passport and tore the ballot paper.
• PS 38/58 Ireland, Dublin. The PEB member from a certain party showed an aggressive behaviour, trying to find out who voters had voted for. He had verbal altercations with the voters. He intimidated the Promo-LEX observer by using impertinent questions.

Deficiencies in the electoral rolls (gaps between addresses; deceased voters; signatures instead of other people) – 5 cases.

• PS 1/10 Chisinau, Botanica. Two voters were not found in the electoral rolls. This was due to the fact that the building they lived in changed its address. The voters cast their vote based on additional rolls. One of them, dressed up in a red T-shirt, declared that a particular contender would solve all the problems.
• PS 1/215, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter was not found in the electoral rolls (ap. no. 59). The problem has persisted during several consecutive elections: apartments 58, 60 and 61 are included in the electoral roll, but his apartment is missing. The PEB Chairperson called to CEC, where he was informed that the voter has to contact the PSA.
• PS 1/206, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter identified a deceased relative included in the electoral rolls.
• PS 1/61, Chisinau, Botanica. A voter identified a deceased relative included in the electoral rolls.
• PS 1/191, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter identified in the electoral rolls a stranger who was registered at his address.

Deficient operation of SAIS “Elections” (suspended functionalities; situations when SAIS “Elections” states that the voted had voted, but the latter claims he had not) – 4 cases.

• PS 1/242, Chisinau, Riscani. Elections SAIS was out of service for approximately 15 minutes because of missing internet connection.
• PS 1/79, Chisinau, Buiucani. One voter was included in Elections SAIS as having already voted, but there was no ‘Voted’ stamp applied in his loose leaf. The voter was not allowed to vote.
• PS 38/37 France, Paris. At 05:42 p.m., Elections SAIS indicated that the person had voted, while the voter denied that.
• PS 18/ 64 Floresti, Tirgul Vertiujeni. At 07:10 p.m., one voter submitted his ID card with the residence in Tirgul-Vertiujeni. Elections SAIS indicated that he was included in the electoral roll of Vertiujeni. The PEB Chairperson allowed him to vote, including him in the additional rolls.

Unjustified presence of unauthorised people inside or within 100 m from the polling station – 1 case.

• PS 7/063 Cahul, Zirnesti. A contender’s observer talked for 2 minutes inside the PS with 2 unknown persons. After having been warned about their unjustified presence inside the PS by the PEB chairperson, they exhibited aggressive behaviour. After 2 minutes, they left the PS.

Presence of advertising materials, electoral billboards and posters in the vicinity of the polling station (within the area of 100 m from the PS) – 2 cases.

• PS 37/040 Causeni, Causeni. Within 97-98 meters from the PS there is an electoral billboard with A3 posters in support of a contender. The PEB chairperson and the observer measured the distance from the billboard to the polling station, but no action was taken.
• PS 7/41, Cahul, Giurgiulesti. Within the area of 50–60 metres from the polling station there are A3 leaflets of electoral contenders on the information board. The chairperson said they tried to remove them of the board but failed to do so.

Taking pictures of the ballot papers, other violations of the secret ballot (submission of ID card on the basis of which the voter had already voted, inappropriate laying out of booths because of which one could see who other voters cast their vote for) – 16 cases.

• PS 11/002 Cimislia, Cimislia. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The picture was deleted after PEB Chairperson intervened.
• PS 10/001 Causeni, Causeni. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper and made the picture public. PEB chairperson talked with this voter and he left the PS.
• PS 11/010 Cimislia, Cimislia. A voter showed the ballot paper to other voters. PEB Chairperson intervened and voter put the ballot paper into the ballot box.
• PS 11/002 Cimislia, Cimislia. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The picture was deleted from device after PEB Chairperson intervened.
• PS 7/012 Cahul, Cahul. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. He was spotted and ordered to delete the photo. The voter agreed and left the PS.
• PS 1/200, Chisinau, Riscani. One voter tried to take a picture of the ballot paper. After the intervention of the PEB members, his attempt failed.
• PS 1/233, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. The picture was deleted after the intervention of the PEB chairperson.
• PS 32/10 Stefan Voda, Ciuburciu. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. When the Promo-LEX observer warned him, he said that he took a picture of his ballot paper so that ‘someone would not jerk him around’. Not a single PEB member reacted in any way whatsoever.
• PS 25/056, Orhei, Peresecina. At 7:43 p.m., a girl took picture of the ballot paper. Although the Promo-LEX observer warned her, she neglected him and did not delete the photo. Not a single PEB member reacted in any way.
• PS 35/007, Ungheni, Ungheni. At 8:14 p.m. a person took a picture of the ballot paper. This person was asked to delete the picture, but refused to do so.
• PS 38/46 Germany, Berlin. At 4:06 p.m. one voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
• PS 38/5, Belgium, Bruxelles. At 6:57 p.m. one voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
• PS 38/5, Belgium, Bruxelles. At 7:23 p.m. one voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
• PS 10/007 Causeni, Causeni. A voter took a photo of the ballot. When the STO asked to delete the photo, initially outraged the voter denied doing so.
• PS 38/4 Belgium, Brussels. At 8.49 p.m. a voter took a picture of his ballot paper, he claimed he did not know it was illegal, deleted the picture and apologized.
• PS 38/5 Belgium, Brussels. At 9.03 p.m. a voter took a picture of his ballot paper.

Unjustified group voting (two or more voters) – 6 cases.

• PS 34/003, Telenesti, Telenesti. At 8.22 p.m., while in PS, a person asked those around for help to tell him where to find a certain contender in the ballot paper, another voter from the next voting booth approached and helped him find the necessary party and applied the stamp instead of the person who asked for help.
• PS 1/201, Chisinau, Riscani. Two people entered in the voting booth. The lady voted first then approached the gentleman’s booth and gave him some clues. The PEB chairperson did not take note of the violation and did not step in.
• PS 36/012 ATUG, Comrat. At 6 p.m. a person entered in the PS, talking loudly on the phone and asking the interlocutor for whom to vote. The person was warned to hide the phone.
• PS 38/46 Germany, Berlin. The members of a family were discussing the voting options and were showing each other what they should vote before entering the voting booth.
• PS 38/4 Belgium, Brussels. A voter while in the voting booth, called to ask someone whom to vote. He was asked to hung up the phone, but the voter said he did not know whom to vote and needed help. After verbal exchanges with a member of the electoral bureau, the voter said it was a joke and showed his phone to prove that he did not have a recent call.
• PS 38/46 Germany, Berlin. A group of voters was discussing in the voting booth where to apply the stamp. PEB members did not react.

Cancellation of ballots papers before the term – 4 cases.

• PS 32/030 Stefan Voda, Talmaza. At 6 p.m. the PEB chairperson approached an observer with the proposal to cancel all unused ballot papers. The observer said it was too early to do that. After the PEB members went to a separate room and found out they had 1500 ballot papers, they started to stamp and cancel them.
• PS 1/209, Chisinau, Riscani. The PEB members started to cancel the unused ballot papers before the closure of the PS, at 8:50 p.m.
• PS 1/233, Chisinau, Riscani. The PEB chairperson allowed the observers nominated by the contenders to engage in the cancellation of ballot papers.
• PS 38/147 Turkey, Istanbul. At 8:58 p.m. the member of the electoral bureau started to count the unused ballot papers before the polling station closed. When we saw that, she was already counting the unused ballot papers and said that she had counted 500 already; the ballot papers were counted in the office of the chairperson with no video recording.

Closure of PS after 9:00 p.m. – 3 cases.

• PS 1/114, Chisinau, Center. The PS was closed at 9:05 p.m. because there were 5 more voters who asked the ballot papers. The PEB members allowed them to vote.
• PS 38/119 Romania, Cluj-Napoca. The polling station was closed at 9:05 p.m.
• PS 7/010 Cahul, Cahul. A voter came at 9:05 p.m. and the PEB members allowed him to vote.

Vote counting issues – 1 case.

• PS 32/10 Stefan Voda, A stranger entered during the vote counting at 9:52 p.m. and distracted the staff from counting. He said he came to vote, but he was asked to leave the room.
• PS 38/147 Turkey, Istanbul. The vote counting started but the chairperson did not store the stamps that were used in a safe place. While they were counting the ballots, the stamp ‘voted’ was in the voting booth, right behind the PEB members who were counting the votes.

Electricity outages – 1 cases

• PS 9/006 Calarasi, Calarasi. The electricity in the PS went out for the third time for 10 minutes. The voting process was not stopped.

Ballot boxes were not sealed according to the legal procedures/tearing/damage or absence of seals on ballot boxes — 1 cases.

• PS 18/ 70 Floresti, Vertijeni. At 6:10 p.m. the observer found that the mobile ballot box was sealed incorrectly (one seal), which does not prevent opening the box. The PEB chairperson commented that the ballot box was sealed according to the rules.

Other – 5 cases.

• PS 18/64 Floresti, Vertiujeni. The observer found that the sign with the number of the polling station is missing at the entrance to the PS. The observer notified the PEB chairperson, following which, on the entrance door an A4 sheet was glued on indicating the PS number.
• PS 38/78 Mestre, Italy. At 6:56 p.m. there was a multiple voting attempt. A voter tried to vote repeatedly after having voted at another polling station.
• PS 38/121, Romania, Craiova. A contender’s representative with advisory voting rights assisted in the vote counting.
• PS 1/215, Chisinau, Riscani. During the vote counting, PEB Chairperson was in a position that blocked the video that was supposed to video tape the process.
• PS 37/032 Floresti, Sanatauca. The observer reported that around 9.50 p.m. a conflict started between PEB members and the observers of some contenders. Reason for the conflict: observers believe that only one PEB member may present the ballot papers. The PEB chairperson believes that several members may count the ballot papers.

This press release was prepared as part of the Election Observation Mission for the early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021, conducted by Promo-LEX Association with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the ‘Democracy, Transparency and Responsibility’ Program, of the Council of Europe through ‘Support for civic observation of the 2021 Early Parliamentary Elections in the polling stations set up abroad’ Project, as well as of the Netherlands Embassy Office in Chisinau through ‘Support for informing citizens and civic observation of the 2021 Early Parliamentary Elections in the polling stations set up for voters from the transnistrian region’. ‘Hate speech’ component is supported by Justice and Human Rights Department of Soros Foundation Moldova through ‘Strengthening a platform for the development of human rights activism and education in the Republic of Moldova – stage IV”.

The opinions expressed in the public reports and press releases of the Promo-LEX OM belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of our donors or partners. The content of this document may be subject to editorial review.

If there are any discrepancies between the text in Romanian language and its translation in another language, the provisions set in the Romanian version prevail. 

For more information, please contact:
Inga Stegarescu, Press Officer of Promo-LEX Association
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