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2.00 pm, 28 June 2015 // Chisinau

3 attempts to rig elections, 7 cases of electioneering on the voting day, 5 cases of organized transportation of voters, 8 cases of sales of alcoholic beverages in the close proximity of polling stations – are only some of the key findings, reported by Promo-LEX observers as of 2.00 pm.

The presented data were collected from 186 observers, who are monitoring the electoral process throughout the whole country, in 93 mobile teams, as well as from the 320 observers present in all polling stations from Chisinau and Comrat municipalities. A summary thereof is presented below.

Enabling PS Infrastructure on the Election Day

According to the reports of Promo-Lex observers, there are still deficiencies with the infrastructure of polling stations (PSs). Thus, the following were found in other 19 PSs:

• lack of safe boxes (PS 14 Bilicenii Noi v.; PS 16, Mandrestii Noi v.; PS 51, Pepeni v.; PS 64, Octeabrscoe v., Sangerei d.; PS 44, Stolniceni v., Edinet d.; PSs 14 and SV 16, Costești v., Ialoveni d.; PS 20, Hasnasenii Noi v., Drochia d.; PS 38, Grozasca v.; PS 37, Floritoaia Noua v.,  Ungheni d.; PS 6, Cimislia t.). Promo-LEX observers state that because of this the ballot papers are stored in other places than required by law;
• problems with the Internet connection (PS Glodeni t.), problems with Internet connection (PS 51, Pascani v., Cahul d., PSs 184 and 185, Chisinau mun.);
• inappropriate location of the voting booths (PS 11, Dumitreni v., Floresti d.), so that the voters’ choices could be seen;
• poor illumination of the polling station (PS 6, Biruinta v., Sangerei d.);
• lack of an ink-pad in a voting booth (PS 6, Causeni t.). Because of this voters use only two of the three available booths;
• lack of the panel with the identification data of the polling station (PS 45, Voinova v., Straseni d.; PS 63, Tambula v., Sangerei d.).

In addition, Promo-LEX observers reported 6 PSs with deficiencies related to the sealing of ballot boxes:

• the lack of seal on mobile ballot boxes was found in PS 11, Ungheni t., and PS 22, Pelivan v. and PS 30, Cucuruzeni v., both from Orhei d.
• broken seal on mobile ballot boxes was found in PS 25, Iorjnita v.,  Soroca d.; PS 19, Cosernita v. and SV 45, Marculesti v.,  Floresti d. (the last two seals were fixed with a thread).

Procedural Violations by EOPS Members

In PS 140, Chisinau mun., the mobile ballot box was taken earlier in the field only by one EOPS member.

Besides, in PS 155, Chisinau mun., one voter damaged the ballot paper and left it in the booth, after which an EOPS member took the ballot and deposited it in the ballot box.

Voting on the Basis of Inappropriate Documents

Promo-LEX observers found three cases when people voted on the basis of inappropriate documents. In PS 3, Causeni t., the stamp „Elections 28 June 2015” was applied on the laminated loose leaf of a voter, and in PS 92, Chisinau mun. and PS 23, Dusmani v., Glodeni d., each one person voted without the loose leaf of the ID card.

Failure to apply the “Voted” Stamp in the ID Card

In PS 248, Chisinau mun., one person voted without having the “Elections 28 June 2015” stamp applied in the loose leaf of the ID card.

Sales of Alcoholic Beverages

Promo-LEX observers found 8 cases of sales of alcoholic beverages in close proximity to the polling stations (PS 4, Basarabeasca t.; PS 26, Harbovat v., Anenii Noi d.; PS 119; PSs 14 and 16, Costești v., Ialoveni d.; PS 45, Voinova v., Straseni d.; PS 35, Sarcova v., Rezina d.).

In addition, alcoholic beverages are sold in Chisinau mun. in the close vicinity of 40 of the 308 polling stations (about 13%).

Figure 1. Sales of Alcoholic Beverages, Chisinau municipality

Electioneering in Close Proximity to PS

Promo-LEX observers reported 7 cases of electioneering in close proximity to PS:

• in PS 58, Bocsa v., Falesti d., there were 10-15 persons wearing T-shirts with the logo of an election contestant;
• in PS 7, Cimislia t., 5 representatives of an election contestant, accompanied by the former district chairman, carried out electioneering activities;
• in PS 35, Sircova v., Rezina d., the candidate of an election contestant to the position of mayor marked his car, with the symbols of the party in the close proximity to the PS (registration number C MY 536);
• in PS 3, Basarabeasca t., two persons were carrying out electioneering activities;
• close to PS 34, Speia v., Anenii Noi d., an election contestant was talking to voters;
• in PS 36, Floritoaia Veche v, Ungheni d., at a distance of about 100 meters from the PS, the supporter of an election contestant was carrying out electioneering activities;
• in PS, Orhei d., a car with the logo of an election contestant brought two observers to the PS, one of whom was drunk and causing noise (the latter did not have an accreditation).

Electoral Posters in Close Proximity to PS

Promo-LEX observers reported several cases when electoral advertising was posted close to the PS (PS 2, Basarabeasca t.; PS 36, Telita v., Anenii Noi d.; PS 12, Albina v., Cimislia d.; PS 54, Prepelita v., Sangerei d.).

Illegal Voting

In PS 15, Ciuciulea v., Glodeni d., a voter who established his/her residence in the village on 25 June 2015, managed to vote.

Organized Transportation of Voters

Promo-LEX observers reported 5 cases of transportation of voters:

• in PS 5, Basarabeasca t., the supporter of an election contestant brought at least 5 voters to the PS by a private vehicle – VAZ 2103 (registration number – BS AF 209), with the insignia of an election contestant on it;
• in PS 20, Rediul Mare v., Donduseni d., a candidate for the position of Mayor organized the transportation of voters by a car with the registration number C MX 833;
• in PS 14 and 16 from Costesti v., Ialoveni d., the brother of a candidate for the position of Mayor was transporting voters to the PS by a car with the registration number IL BM 484;
• In PS 14, Cusnirca v., Soldanesti d., an election contestant was transporting great numbers of voters in the following means of transportation: Mercedes Sprinter – SD AE 775; VAZ 2101 – SD AA 460; Niva 2121 – SD AF 973; VAZ 2108 – SR BD 335; Volkswagen Pasat – OR AH 730 (the total number of transported persons is of about 50).

Presence of Unauthorized Persons in the PS

In PS 5, Cosnita v., Dubasari d., a candidate for the position of Mayor introduced himself to the members of the Office as a national observer, claiming that he was accredited. Upon Promo-LEX observers’ demand to present the accreditation certificate again, the refused to and left the PS.

Also, in PS 151, Chisinau mun., a Member of the Moldovan Parliament, who does not have her domicile or residence visa in the area corresponding to the PS, spent about 10 minutes inside the PS, asking those present there about how was the voting going on.

Observers’ Activity Disturbance in the PS

In PS 6, Cimislia t., the Promo-LEX observer was not allowed to enter the PS on the ground that only the observer who was in the PS concerned during the first round of elections can be present there.

Procedural Violations by Observers

In PS 84, Chisinau mun., the observer of an election contestant helped an elderly person to vote.

Attempts to Rig Elections

In PS 44, Topala v., Cimislia d., at least 20 persons protest in front of the PS because a stranger, who established her legal address in that village right before the first tour of elections, was allowed to vote. The protesters do not let persons who are strangers in the village to vote in the PS. About 6 policemen keep the public order and the voting goes on undisturbed.

In PS 277, Bacioi com., Chisinau mun., the EOPS Chairperson noticed that 4 voters (included on the additional lists having a temporary residence visa) who voted, introduced into the ballot box only one ballot paper (while they were suppose to throw in 2 ballot papers each – one for the position of Mayor General and the other – for the local Mayor), with 4 other ballot papers being taken along. When the EOPS Chairperson intervened, she was assaulted. Later, the police was called on-site (at this moment in time there are 5 police watches are in front of the PS with their beacon light on) looking for the 4 voters. It is worth mentioning that these persons came to the PS by a BMW car, the registration number being JBR 101. A protocol was developed with regards to this incident.

In PS 98, Chisinau mun., an inebriated voter tore the ballot paper up.  The police was summoned on the scene and a protocol was drawn up.

Misinformation

In PS 7, Otaci v., Ocnita d., a former candidate for the position of Mayor brought 2 persons to the PS whom he introduced as representatives of the TVC 21 television channel, although the letters on the microphone said TSN. Those persons were working on a coverage about the fact that in that PS cases of voter corruption were registered.  Besides that, 3 other persons, who introduced themselves as mass media representatives (although they did not present any journalist card), were carrying out an interview with a citizen who was talking about voter corruption cases and other severe incidents.  The Promo-LEX observer, present on the ground said the rumours were not true.

Today, 28 June, 8:00 pm, Promo-LEX Association will organize the next press briefing to present information regarding the electoral process.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission declares itself to be neutral and equidistant towards the election candidates, it is not an investigation body and does not assume the express obligation to support the observers’ findings by evidence.

The General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 are monitored by Promo-LEX Association under its Monitoring Democratic Processes Program. The Observation Mission is part of the activities carried out by the civil society under the aegis of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections.

The Observation Mission of the General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 is supported financially U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Council of Europe and benefits of technical assistance provided by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).

The opinions presented in the press release belong to authors and do not necessarily reflect the donors’ view.

For additional information please contact: Simion Ciochina, Communication Officer of the Observation Mission for the 2015 General Local Elections, Tel: 0 (22) 49 26 84, GSM: (+373) 69 11 96 94, E-mail: [email protected]