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According to Promo-LEX’s final pre-election monitoring report, the electoral campaigning of the last two weeks has been marked by a diversification in the campaign methods being used by the electoral candidates. In the same period, there has been a series of violent incidents related to the election, cases of abusive attempts to influence voters, and cases in which ‘electoral gifts’ have been offered.

During the period covered by the report, the monitoring effort has noted a diversification in campaign methods on the part of 19 electoral candidates. On the other hand, no campaign activities were found for the other 20 candidates. The period in question saw a large number of violent incidents related to the election, as well as abusive attempts to influence voters, and the offering of ‘electoral gifts’. Furthermore, there have been renewed, more active efforts to bring the Church into the campaign.

As with previous periods, the period covered by the present report was characterised by a lack of financial transparency on the part of candidates regarding their expenditure for travel, the publication of electoral material, political rallies (concerts), and for their campaign staff.

In the same period, the Central Electoral Committee (CEC) adopted resolutions that have completed the legislative framework for the election, but has also at times exceeded the provisions of the Electoral Code. The CEC has once again failed to fulfil the provisions of the Electoral Code relating to specifying the ways in which certain categories of voters can vote.

Promo-LEX observers found that in all the electoral constituencies, with the exception the city of Bender and the Transnistrian region, invitations to vote, produced by the CEC, were distributed. However, the CEC failed to meet the deadline for putting the electoral lists for all voting stations on its website, and has not provided one single way for accessing the lists.

Promo-LEX notes the active involvement of members of the CEC in mediating in conflict situations within the electoral bodies and in facilitating observers’ access to electoral operations. However, observers found cases of apparent partiality amongst members of the electoral bodies, and instances of negligence regarding the visibility of some voting sections, and towards respecting the working timetable of the BESV. Particularly alarming is the situation regarding technical conditions at the voting sections – particularly, in some cases, the lack of heating.

The present report covers the period 9 – 25 November 2010. It describes –within a legal framework, and within precise time limits– the electoral context and the main developments in the electoral campaign, as well as the performance of the candidates and the local and public authorities.

As part of the monitoring mission, Promo-LEX is training 42 long-term observers, spread throughout the country. These Promo-LEX observers have been trained in electoral procedures and in the non-partisan and independent character of the monitoring effort. The recommendations of the monitoring mission are made in good faith and aim at improving the quality of the electoral process.

The full copy of the report is available here.

For more information contact Cristina Nicolenco, Promo-LEX press officer: Tel: (22) 211622, GSM: 069882392, e-mail: [email protected]