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The Promo-LEX Election Observation Mission started monitoring the electoral process and stated in its report that the electoral management bodies are investing efforts into the proper conduct of elections on 30 October 2016. The observers also mentioned the need to prepare the lists of voters and to verify political parties and election campaigns funding under conditions of greater transparency.

An analysis of the legal framework regarding the presidential elections of 30 October shows that the tools needed for this activity to be carried out are in place. However, there are some unsettled issues related to when the election campaigns are to begin and to the signature sheet terms and verification procedures. Promo-LEX EOM also found that the procedure to follow for the compiling of the list of initiative group’s members and of the signature sheet is cumbersome.

The political parties do not observe to the fullest extent the provisions regarding the funding of parties and election campaigns. It is necessary to penalize those political parties that did not submit their financial statements before the deadline or did not submit any at all or that submitted incomplete financial statements or financial statements that contained obvious mistakes, particularly if such violations were reported by observers or other actors involved in the electoral process.

Promo-LEX notes that in order for the voters to be able to vote, CEC made an online early registration platform available for citizens who are abroad. There were as many as 557 voters registered as of the date that the report was developed on.

Promo-LEX expresses its appreciation for the openness of CEC to update and publish the information from the State Register of Voters on 22 August 2016. However, given the large discrepancies in the number of people who have turned 18 years of age, provided by different state institutions (ÎS CRIS Registru, NBS and CEC), the public authorities need to ensure a higher transparency of the process of compiling and providing access to the voters lists for all electoral stakeholders.

The Ministry of Justice updated the list of political parties having the right to nominate a candidate for the presidential elections. There are 45 parties and social-and-political organizations on the list. Until 23 August 2016, the following candidates expressed their intention to run for the presidential elections of 30 October 2016: Igor Dodon (PSRM), Iurie Leanca (PPEM), Maia Sandu (PPPAS), Andrei Nastase (PPPDA), Valeriu Ghiletchi (independent candidate) and Oleg Brega (independent candidate). The PPPAS, PPPDA and PLDM leaders announced later their intention to forward one joint candidate. The leaders of 4 parties (PCRM, PDM, PL and PPPN) announced their intention to nominate their own candidate if no final decision is taken by the party management body with regards to its name.

Alongside the Election Observation Mission, Promo-LEX Association will also conduct the “Come to Vote” Campaign, the purpose of which is to engage the voters in the electoral process and to make sure that Moldovan citizens eligible to vote cast their votes knowingly and consciously. The Moldovan citizens eligible to vote, particularly the youth, will be the target group of the campaign. As part of the “Come to Vote” Campaign, as many as 10 public electoral debates will be held, two video-spots will be launched and awareness will be raised among citizens at local and national levels. Promo-LEX Association will also launch a Grant Contest for the NGOs from Moldova, meant to support 2-3 projects focusing on voter mobilization and on the promotion of informed and conscious voting.

The Report is available here.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission consists of 42 long-term observers who will monitor the electoral process in all constituencies of the Republic of Moldova during 31 August – 30 November 2016. On the election day, Promo-LEX will delegate a short-term observer in each polling station of the country. Promo-LEX EOM will also perform the parallel vote tabulation in all polling stations. The observers involved in the monitoring process sign the Code of Conduct of the Promo-LEX. Independent National Observer, assuming the commitment to act efficiently, in good faith and in a non-partisan manner. The activity of all observers is coordinated by a central team consisting of 37 persons.

The activity carried out by Promo-LEX EOM and the “Come to Vote” campaign is currently funded by by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the British Embassy in Chisinau, the National Endowment for Democracy and by the Council of Europe. The opinions presented in the public reports of Promo-LEX belong to authors and do not necessarily reflect the donors’ view.

For more details, please contact: Tatiana Pascovschi, Comunnication officer of the Promo-LEX Election Observation Mission: GSM 060804022, e-mail [email protected]