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On the day of the second round of voting, 19 November 2023, the Promo-LEX Observation Mission (OM) delegated one static short-term observer to 175 polling stations (PS) out of 620 open PSs. The other 445 PSs were be observed by 50 (two-observers) mobile teams. We remind that the second round of voting was held in 609 polling stations, and repeat voting in the case of 11 stations.

Following the processing of all the reports received from the observers, the Promo-LEX OM noted a number of 126 incidents during the voting.

The following were among the most frequent types of incidents: the unjustified presence of unauthorized persons in the premises or within 100 meters of the polling station (31 cases) and photographing ballot papers and other violations of the secret of voting (25 cases).

“Those types of incidents may suggest a causal link to some negative phenomena of influencing the will of the voters, which took place also during the election campaign and could indicate attempts to control and influence the behavior and decision of the voters, including on election day”, explains the head of the Promo-LEX OM, Nicolae Panfil.

During the election day, voting was generally organized efficiently in the precincts observed. At the same time, the SAIS Elections operation was affected sporadically. 8 cases of suspension of SAIS Elections operation were found due to the lack of electricity or the Internet, or situations in which the voters were not identified by the system. Also, 12 cases of interruption of the process of shooting the electoral operations for opening the polling station or the procedures for counting the ballot papers were observed.

The Promo-LEX OM expresses its concern relating to at least 6 cases of intimidation of observers or obstruction of the free observation process in the polling station. The Promo-LEX OM noted 2 cases of refusal to release copies of all vote counting minutes. We emphasize that, in carrying out their duties, observers have the right to have access to all electoral information.

The vote counting was generally quick and calm. The preliminary results of the vote counting for the position of mayor of Balti, carried out by the Promo-LEX OM based on the minutes collected, do not indicate significant differences compared to the preliminary data announced by the Central Electoral Commission.

The release is drafted within the Observation Mission for the General Local Elections of 5 (19) November 2023, carried out by the Promo-LEX Association with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Program “Democracy, Transparency and Responsibility” and of the European Union through the Project “Strengthening the electoral legislative framework and assessing its implementation during the general local elections in 2023”.