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Time: 7.30 pm

Promo-LEX observers continue to report a significant number of cases when the free observation of elections was limited, double number of cases when voters voted without having their loose leaf of the ID card checked by EOPS members, and the perpetuation of the cases of violence or intimidation of voters or other persons in the polling stations.

At the same time, 226 voters voted without having their ID documents checked by the operators of SAIS “Elections”, 127 cases when people voted without a seal applied in the loose leaf of the ID cards, other 15 cases when people voted without ID documents or on the basis of inappropriate documents.

As of 7.30 pm, Promo-LEX found the following types of irregularities during the voting process:

Restricted access or preventing the free observation process at the polling station – 26 cases. Here are several examples:

• PS 49, Balti, the Promo-LEX observer was not allow to move freely within the PS on grounds that this disturbs the work of EOPS members. In addition, the EOPS chair and secretary refused to offer the information requested by the observer in order to fill in the reporting form
• PS 143, Chisinau. The EOPS chair limits the free movement of observers.

Presence of advertising materials, electoral billboards and posters in the vicinity of the polling station (within the area of 100 m from the PS) – 6 cases

• PS 27, Causeni. The mayor was twice in the PS.
• Booklets of election candidates were distributed in the vicinity of PS 38, Cahul.
• PS 54, 82, Chisinau, there were also electoral posters in the vicinity of PS.
• PS 37 Ialoveni. The electoral posters of 2 election candidates are displaced at a distance of about 70 m from the PS.
• In PS 2, Floresti. The electoral and campaigning messages for an election candidate were not removed in the vicinity of the polling station.

The ballot boxes with seal issues – 3 cases.

• PS 163, Chisinau. The seal on the mobile ballot box was broken, hence the box was taken out with the broken seal.
• PS 9, Ungheni. 2 seals are missing on the fixed ballot box.
• PS 3, Soldandesti. One seal of the fixed ballot box is broken.

Unjustified presence of unauthorized persons inside or within 50 m from the polling station – 11 cases. Here are several examples:

• PS 16, Balti. The police officer is inside the PS.
• PS 24, 33, 43, Causeni. The presence of unauthorised persons in PS was found, who did not present any ID document, but stayed for a little while within the station.

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 – 8 cases. Here are several examples:

• PS 30, ATUG. A omnibus is parked at a distance of about 150 m from the PS, where voters are served wine.
• PS 50, Ialoveni. Some voters leaving the PS went directly to the village store (100 m), accompanied by some suspicious persons.

Electioneering or black PR within the perimeter and/or near the polling station to influence the voters – 13 cases.

• PS 14, Edinet. There is a group of 5 people near the PS (the yard of the secondary school where the PS is located), who encourage voters to vote for an election candidate.
• PS 6, Ocnita. There are 2 people near the PS, who encourage voters to vote for an election candidate.
• PS 318, Moscow, Russia. Electioneering in favor of an election candidate in the vicinity of the polling station.
• PS 359, Mestre, Italy.
• PS 1, Soldandesti. A person, while in the voting booth, shouted aloud the name of Renato Uatii.
• PS 11, 74, Ungheni. Electioneering in favor of an election candidate.
• PS 69, Orhei. Electioneering, by an observer, in favour of an election candidate.
• PS 35, 37, 25, 15, Calarasi. Electioneering in favor of an election candidate.
• PS 7, Dubasari. A voter showed to another voter his ballot paper with “Voted” seal, encouraging the other voter to vote for the same candidate.

Organized transportation of voters – 8 case.

• PS 24, Causeni. A car was found to bring 4-5 times voters to the PS.
• PS 24, 25, Stefan Voda. Representatives of an election candidate transport the supporting voters to the PS.
• PS 42, Rezina. A bus was found to transport 23 people to the PS.
• PS 69 Step-Soci, Orhei. 2 omnibuses, organised by the mayor of the settlement, to transport voters to the PS.
• PS 2, Dubasari. Representatives of a candidate were found to transport by a car 4 times voters to the PS.
• PS 10, Dubasari. The transportation of voters by a bus was recorded.
• PS 394, Brașov, Romania. Three taxi cubs and a private car transported about 15 people.

Acts of violence or bullying against voters or other persons – 13 cases. Here are several examples:

• PS 147, Chisinau. A voter was aggressive with EOPS members, who refused to release the ballot paper due to the failure of the former to present the loose leaf of the ID card.
• PS 109, Chisinau. A voter was aggressive with EOPS members after finding that his children, domiciled in USA, were included in the main lists.
• PS 17, Floresti. A fight between a voter and a EOPS member was recorded. The latter informed CEC about being bullied.
• PS 27 Hancesti. A voter showed up, who wanted to vote one more time. He was asked to leave, but he conditioned his leaving on receiving money or alcohol. The sector police officer intervened and solved the conflict.
• PS 120, Chisinau. A voter was aggressive with EOPS members after finding his children, who have been living for 10 years abroad, included in the lists of voters.
• PS 28, Stefan Voda. A voter was aggressive with EOPS members for not being allowed to vote without applying the seal in the loose leaf of the ID card.

Deficient operation of SAIS “Elections” – 3 cases.

• PS 390 București, Romania. SAIS “Elections” showed that a voter had already voted in Moldova, and was allowed to vote though he did not have the seal applied in the passport.
• PS 362 Modena, Italy. SAIS “Elections” showed that the voter had already voted in Moldova. He was however allowed to vote.
• PS 390 București, Romania. SAIS “Elections” did not operate for 6 minutes, 5 people were recorded on paper.

Problematic situations with the lists of voters – 12 cases.

• PS 9, Basarabeasca. Though the ID card data allowed a voter to vote in this section, he could not vote because SAIS “Elections” showed that he had voted in Chisinau.
• PS 3, 8, 9 ATUG. Confusions between “street” and “by-street” in the lists of voters.
• PS 2, ATUG. Deceased persons on the voter lists.
• PS 12, Balti. The voters were revolted to see deceased persons included on their own addresses.
• PS 400, 401. In Washington D.C. and New York City the lists got confused.
• PS 24, 25, Stefan Voda. The lists contain errors in the addresses, voters are included in lists with errors, in other PS than those they should belong to according to their address.
• PS 116, Chisinau. The voters found foreigners recorded on their address. A complaint was filed.
• PS 52, Chisinau. Errors are found on the voter lists. Persons that are repeated, with the same addresses. A total of 12 persons are recorded with the same address.

Taking a picture of the ballot papers – 8 cases.

• PS 25, Cimislia. 2 persons took a picture of their ballot papers.
• PS 343, Athens, Greece. A voter made a picture of his ballot paper with his telephone in the voting booth. The EOPS members were informed about this.
• PS 351, Lyon, France. A EOPS member found a voter taking a picture of his ballot paper in the voting booth.
• PS 5, Chisinau. A voter voted, took a picture and placed it subsequently on social networks.
• PS 12, Balti. 2 persons took a picture of their ballot. The police was called and they wrote explanations. The ballot papers were thrown into the bin.
• PS 6, Ocnita. The voter took a picture of the ballot paper, after which he launched the rumour among the other voters that if they take a picture of their ballot paper and show it, they will get a reward.
• PS 257, Chisinau. A voter made a picture of his ballot paper.
• PS 6, Cahul. A voter made a picture of his ballot paper after applying the “Voted” seal, while still in the ballot paper. At that moment there were journalists from a TV station in the polling station, who noticed the incident and asked for an interview with the voter.

Other cases:

• PS 47, Calarasi. A tree fell over the electric lines, but the voting process was not interrupted. The problem was remedied.
• PS 47 Varatic, Ialoveni. The electricity was out for about one hour.
• PS 63, Falesti. A voter voted instead of his son.

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, contact: Tatiana Pascovschi, Communication Officer of Promo-Lex Election Observation Mission: GSM 060804022, e-mail: [email protected]