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Time: 2:30 p.m.

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the presidential elections finds that until 12:30 p.m. there were several cases of restricted access or preventing the free observation process at the polling stations for the observers and the tearing, damage or absence of seals on the ballot boxes.

Electoral posters continue to be displayed in the vicinity of the polling stations. There are also cases of black PR within the perimeter of the polling stations, violence and voters’ intimidation, and various cases of organized transportation of voters.

The information provided by Promo-LEX observers shows that:

• ballot papers are kept in an unsafe place in 15 polling stations,
• 83 voters voted without having the ID documents checked by SAIS “Elections” operators,
• 21 voters voted without having the loose leaf of their ID card checked by EOPS members,
• 107 voters voted without having the “Voted” stamp applied in the loose leaf of their ID card,
• 15 voters voted without identity documents or with inappropriate documents.

Observers also inform about the presence of stalls or stores selling and/or serving alcoholic beverages within the perimeter of 114 polling stations. At the same time, there were reported 18 cases of electioneering, 19 cases of rumors, attempts or even situations of material or cash rewards and 7 cases of intentional release of more than 1 ballot paper for a voter or introduction of more than 1 ballot paper into the ballot box by a single voter.

Restricted access or preventing the free observation process at the polling station – 12 cases. Here are some examples:

• PS 39, ATUG, the EOPS chair confiscated for a short period the observers’ mobile phones
• PS 1, Balti, the EOPS chair asked the observer for one additional mandate to allow his presence in the polling station, then he changed his mind and allowed the observation
• PS 12, Cahul, the presence of Promo-LEX observer was restricted in the PS adjoining area
• PS 59, Chisinau, the EOPS chair did not allow the access of Promo-LEX observes in the PS
• PS 70 Chisinau, the observers were not allowed to move freely within the PS
• PS 27, Chisinau, the voters assault the Promo-LEX observer
• PS 154, Chisinau, the observers were not allowed to monitor if the lists of voters are kept in a safe place

Presence of advertising materials, electoral billboards and posters in the vicinity of the polling station (within the area of 100 m from the PS) – 15 cases. Here are some examples:

• In the vicinity of PS 41, Balti, there is a 3×6 billboard of an election candidate. The voters were revolted and asked the observers from behalf of that candidate to remove the poster
• Electoral advertising materials are present within the area of PS 17, 54, 59, 128, 152, 175, 198, 278, 288 (Chisinau), PS 59 (Ungheni), PS 55 (Falesti), PS 37, 49 (Ialoveni), PS 6 (Ocnita).

Ballot boxes were not sealed according to the legal procedures – cases. Here are some examples:

• PS 154, Chisinau, the mobile ballot box was initially incorrectly sealed and subsequently resealed
• PS 325, Dublin, Ireland only one stationary ballot box was sealed when opening the PS
• PS 9, 10, Ungheni, four seals were missing
• PS 24, Soldandesti, the polling station seal was damaged
• PS 32, Glodeni, the seal damaged and then changed
• PS 5, Cimislia, the ballot boxes are not sealed and are located in unsafe places
• PS 24, Soldandesti, the seals on the ballot box were teared.

Unjustified presence of unauthorized persons inside or within 50 m from the polling station – 16 cases. Here are some examples:

• PS 33, Leova, the mayor of the settlement parked his car within the area of 10 m from the PS and discusses with the locals
• PS 30, 52, 57, 71, 152, 196, 223, 266, 248, 247, 300, Chisinau.
• PS 26, Causeni
• PS 13, Calarasi
• PS 396, Constanta, Romania
• PS 2, Edinet, 4 persons were present in the PS 20 minutes without explaining their reason
• PS 16, Balti, the police officer is inside the PS.

Ballot papers that were not distributed to EOPS members are not kept in a safe place at the polling station – 15 cases. Here are some examples:

PS 72, 131, 300, Chisinau, the observers noted that ballot papers are not kept in a safe place and at PS 72, Chisinau, they are kept under the table (in the table).

Rumors, attempts or even situations of material rewards or money offered to voters within the perimeter and/or near the polling station to influence them – 19 cases. Here are some examples:

• PS 1, Balti, two men came and asked who is the observer for a candidate. The lady observer went out with them, after which she returned holding something in her hands
• PS 4, Ialoveni, a person (previously accused of hooliganism) wanted to get a photo of the ballot. He was not allowed and when he went outside the PS, somebody told him that he will not be rewarded for his failure to get the photo
• PS 269, Chisinau, a person, after voting in the voting booth, made a call and reported for which candidate she voter for.

Electioneering or black PR within the perimeter and/or near the polling station to influence the voters – 18 cases. Here are some examples:

• PS 60, Chisinau, the observer of an election candidate distributed electoral materials and calendars to citizens
• PS 69, Ungheni, 1 voter made negative PR against an election candidate
• PS 30, 41, Calarasi, the observer of an election candidate electioneered near the PS.

Organized transportation of voters – 10 cases. Here are some examples:

• PS 22, Soldandesti, about 8 persons were transported with a bus and got out at 50 meters from the PS
• PS 22, 23, 24, Causeni, the representative of an election candidate transported voters. Other 3 such cases were recorded.
• PS 138, Chisinau, a bus was transporting the voters to the PS
• PS 270, Chisinau, a was seen 3 times transporting the voters to the PS
• PS 66, Orhei, a bus transported 20 voters from Burcuta to vote in Seliste
• PS 42, Bender, a bus transported 15 voters
• PS 42, Rezina, a bus transported 10 voters
• PS 395, Cluj, Romania.

Acts of violence or bullying against voters or other persons – 20 cases

• PS 34, Balti, a voter entered the polling station and intimidated the EOPS members. The police intervened to get the person outside the PS
• PS 24, Chisinau, a voter was aggressive with EOPS members because his daughter was included in the main lists of voters, although she was abroad
• PS 84, Chisinau, a voter was aggressive with another voter after he discovered that foreigners are registered at his address
• PS 248, Chisinau, the EOPS chair is intimidated by the supporters of an election candidate
• PS 14, Orhei, the elderly continue to be intimidated (they are blackmailed to lose their compensations). The intimidation occurs at more than 100 m from the PS
• PS 72, Chisinau, the observers of an election candidate intimidate the voters, they look in the voters’ ballots and touch the ballot box.

Deficient operation of SAIS “Elections” – 6 cases

• PS 45, Balti, two people came to vote, but according to the SAIS “Elections”, they had already voted. These voters were revolted, because they did not have the seal “presidential elections 30 October 2016”. The police was called at the PS, who conducted a number of procedures and the respective persons left without voting.
• PS 57, Ungheni, there was not Internet connection for 5 minutes
• PS 46, Balti, the Internet connection was out between 7.40 a.m. and 8.08 a.m.
• PS 8, Glodeni, SAIS “Elections” was blocked between 8.15 a.m. and 8.51 a.m.

Problematic situations with the lists of voters – 5 cases

• PS 50, ATUG (Congaz) – 5 voters with identity documents, domiciled within the area of the respective PS, are found on the lists of PS 3 ATUG (Comrat)
• PS 84, 77 Chisinau, strangers were found recorded in the lists of voters, on the addresses of some voters or their neighbours’.
• PS 6, 27, ATUG, deceased persons are included in the lists of voters.

Taking a Picture of the Ballot Papers – 4 cases

• PS 26, Ungheni, a voter made a picture of his ballot paper. After the chair called the police, the picture was deleted, and the ballot paper was invalidated
• PS 7, Ungheni town
• PS 317, Moscow, Russia, 2 voters made a picture of their ballot papers
• PS 347, Paris, France, 2 voters made a picture of their ballot papers.

Other violations

• PS 149, 148, Chisinau, a voter placed the ballot paper from PS 149 in the fixed ballot box of PS 148
• PS 320, Sank Petersburg, Russia, one EOPS member left the PS with a ballot paper
• PS 15, Ungheni, one person voted with an expired ID card.

At the same time, we find that 384 complaints were filed with EOPS and 7 cases of temporary halt or unjustified suspension were recorded until 12.30 pm.

At 7:30 p.m., Promo-LEX will come with new information about the quality of the voting process and adjusted statistical data.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission consists of 42 long-term observers who monitor the electoral process in all constituencies of the Republic of Moldova during 31 August – 30 November 2016. On the election day, Promo-LEX delegated 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 Mission monitors the electoral process in 47 polling stations open abroad. The observers involved in the monitoring process signed 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 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the British Embassy in Chisinau, the National Endowment for Democracy and 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, Communication Officer of Promo-Lex Election Observation Mission: GSM 060804022, e-mail: [email protected]