PRINT

Promo-LEX Association presented today the fourth report of the Observation Mission (OM) of the Presidential Elections and the Republican Constitutional Referendum from 20 October, covering the findings in the period 1 October – 15 October. The report mainly reflects the last two weeks of the electoral campaign, the legal framework relevant to the electoral process, the performance of electoral competitors, as well as the work of electoral bodies in preparation for the 20 October elections.

Legal framework. In the observation process, OM noted concerns regarding the application of legal rules on passive and active electoral corruption. However, based on the announcement by the authorities of more than 100 minutes reports on passive electoral bribery, OM finds that there is no information on the initiation of criminal proceedings, including for electoral corruption. Promo-LEX recommends that the prosecution body takes all the necessary steps to eradicate the phenomenon of electoral corruption as a whole and not only in part.

Promo-LEX has also laid down several legal arguments showing that the electoral activity of PB Victorie (Victory) cannot be disguised under paid service and volunteer contracts, as allegedly claimed.

Performance of electoral competitors. During the monitored period, Promo-LEX observers identified 1,799 activities carried out by candidates and referendum participants, with a significant number of events organized by PAS and Maia Sandu (615 activities), while other candidates – Alexandr Stoianoglo (PSRM) and Renato Usatii (PN) – reported 329 and 223 activities, respectively. Electoral campaigning activities included distribution of information materials, meetings with voters and electoral debates.

As regards electoral advertising, Promo-LEX reported 5,073 cases of various forms of advertising, the most common being printed materials (30%) and sponsored advertising (24%).

As for the activities carried out by PR/PB Victorie (Victory), it should be recalled that only PR is registered as a referendum participant. However, it was found that the organizers of the electoral events belong to all the component parties of PB Victorie (Victory), and the promotional materials used (bags, t-shirts, LED billboards with the inscription ‘Victorie’) come mainly from PB Victorie (Victory). Thus, the electoral promotion of the referendum is de facto carried out by the same bloc whose registration was refused by the CEC.

Misuse of administrative resources was found in 114 cases, most of them related to the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) and Maia Sandu (105 cases). Several public officials were involved in the campaign activities, in particular by the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS). Prime Minister Dorin Recean held meetings with voters, where he discussed European integration projects and encouraged support for Maia Sandu. Several ministers were also involved in the electoral campaign, distributing promotional materials in support of Maia Sandu and the ‚YES’ option in the referendum.

Also, cases of using state institutions to accumulate electoral capital, involvement of civil servants in electoral activities during working hours, as well as crediting candidates for public works carried out with public funds were observed.

Involvement of religious denominations in electoral campaigns. Promo-LEX reported 5 other cases in which members of religious denominations were involved in electoral campaigning activities, supporting candidates and using the image of religious buildings in electoral promotional materials. As a reminder, church involvement in electoral processes is forbidden.

Activities with potential for corruption. During the monitored period a number of activities was identified, including the offering of money and goods to influence voting. In several cases PB Victorie (Victory) is involved, which organized events announcing certain benefits for Moldovan citizens living in Russia, as well as electoral meetings with rewards. Victoria Furtună has also been involved in cases of coordinated electoral meetings, which raise suspicions that voters were paid to participate in them.

Electoral competitors’ revenues and expenditures: Between 20 September and 13 October, the total revenues reported by the 11 presidential competitors amounted to approximately 27.8 million MDL, which came mostly from donations from individuals and transfers from party accounts. As for expenditures, they amounted to about 24.7 million MDL, most of which were spent on advertising and promotional materials.

Expenditures estimated by Promo-LEX. The civic monitoring of electoral campaign financing was conducted from 20 September to 13 October 2024 by estimating the expenditures of electoral competitors and comparing them with the amounts declared to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC). Estimates for unreported expenditures include rewards for volunteers and campaigners, promotional materials, social media advertising and event organization. In the presidential elections, unreported expenditures amounted to at least 4,066,387 MDL, the majority of which were related to promotional materials (81%). For the referendum, unreported expenditures of 4,675,512 MDL were estimated, with a similar focus on promotional materials (64%) and social media advertising (16%).

Hate speech and incitement to discrimination. Between 23 September and 6 October 2024, 23 cases of hate speech were identified, 19 of them in an electoral context. These occurred predominantly via mobile apps and at public events, most often based on criteria such as ‘sexual orientation/gender identity’ and ‚health’.

Report no. 4 of the Observation Mission can be accessed here.

The Observation Mission is financially supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Union and the German Marshall Fund of the USA, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the International Organization of Francophonie, and Soros Foundation Moldova. The Observation Mission is carried out under the aegis of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections.

For additional information:

Dumitrița Ciuvaga
Communicator
Promo-LEX Association
Tel: +373 68 800 827