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The Promo-LEX Observation Mission presents its main findings with regard to the opening and closing of the polling stations (PS), voting during the Election Day and incidents reported by observers during the monitoring of the new local elections of November 21, 2021. At the same time, we present the rapid vote counting results, conducted by Promo-LEX OM, in 15 settlements, where elections for the position of mayor were held.

The information was collected and reported by 28 static short-term observers (STOs), who monitored the electoral process in each of the polling stations set up in 14 level- one administrative units[1]. The elections in the municipality of Balti were observed by four mobile teams of two observers each that monitored all the 60 PSs set up.

During the election day, as a whole, the voting was organized efficiently and the process was smooth. About 18% of monitored PSs opened with insignificant delays. According to observers, the voting procedures were conducted in compliance with COVID-19 requirements in 89% of polling stations.

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the New Local Elections of November 21, 2021 finds that of the total of 18 notifications reported by Promo-LEX observers, 14 were processed as incidents, namely:

• intimidation of the Promo-LEX observer – 2 cases (PS 17/12, Falesti, Calinesti (by PAS representatives (1); by an unidentified person (1));
• unjustified presence of unauthorized persons inside the polling station or within 100 m of the PS – 2 cases (PS 16/11 Edinet, Cupcini (PAS-1, BESC-1), PS 17/12, Falesti, Calinesti (unidentified-1 case));
• unjustified cessation / suspension of voting process in the polling station – 1 case (PS 16/10, Edinet, Cupcini);
• interruption of the shooting of electoral operations during the voting day -1 case (PS 11/26, Cimislia, Hartop);
• availability of advertising materials on displays, electoral panels within 100 m of the polling station – 3 cases (PS 2/41, 2/57, PS 2/32 Balti municipality – BECS);
• ballot boxes were not sealed according to the legal procedures / broken / damaged or absence of seals on the ballot boxes – 1 case (PS 16/9, Edinet, Cupcini);
• deficiencies in electoral lists – 1 case (PS16 / 11 Edinet, Cupcini);
• photographing of ballots, other violations of the secrecy of the vote – 2 cases (PS 16/11 Edinet, Cupcini, PS 11/26, Cimislia, Hartop).
• deficiencies in the counting of ballot papers – 1 case (PS 17/12, Falesti, Calinesti).

Considering that the voter turnout exceeded 1/4 of the number of voters registered in the electoral lists, we find that the elections are valid in all 15 constituencies.

The closure of the observed PSs was held with no violations. The vote counting process carried out by the electoral bodies was generally quick and calm. However, in at least 7 PSs (19%), the members of the PEBs ignored the rule stating that in the counting process, the ballot paper must be displayed to all the other participants of the counting process by a single member of the bureau.

Traditionally, in these elections too, the Promo-LEX OM carried out a parallel vote counting. Out of the total number of 88 protocols collected, 36 were obtained directly from the Precinct Electoral Bureaus (PEBs) observed, and the other 52 (Balti constituency) were collected as they were submitted by the PEBs presidents to Constituency Electoral Council. The findings of Promo-LEX confirm the preliminary results established by the Central Electoral Commission. In the first round, mayors were elected in 9 settlements, and on December 5, 2021, the second round of elections will be organized in 6 other settlements.

Details on the results of parallel vote counting in all 15 constituencies are contained in the presentation below.

The press release is prepared as part of the New Local Election Observation Mission of November 21, 2021, carried out by the Promo-LEX Association with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the “Democracy, Transparency and Accountability” Program.

The views expressed in the public reports and press releases of Promo-LEX are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders or partners. The content of this document may be subject to editorial revisions.

If there are discrepancies between the text in Romanian and its translation into another language, the provisions established by the text in Romanian shall prevail.

For more information, please contact:
Elena Raileanu-Seremac,
Press officer of the Promo-LEX Association
GSM: 069895515
e-mail: [email protected]
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[1] Ucrainca commune and Opaci village (Causeni district), Hartop commune (Cimislia district), the town of Cupcini and Hlinaia village (Edinet district), Ișcalau commune, Calinesti and Parliaa villages (Falesti district), Camenca commune (Glodeni district) Hancesti), Cneazevca commune (Leova district), Palanca and Ștefaneati villages (Stefan Voda district), Negurenii Vechi commune (Ungheni district).