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Following the monitoring of the ballot recount tabulation in all the District Electoral Constituencies (DECs) in the country, and a Parallel Tabulation of Recount Results with a maximum margin of error of 0.49%, Promo-LEX found that the vote recount confirmed the results of the initial count.

The Promo-LEX monitoring effort deployed over 80 observers across the country. The monitors observed directly the process of dispatching the sacks with electoral materials to the precinct electoral bureaus (PEBs). After the recount the observers watched the delivery of protocols and other electoral materials from the PEBs to the DECs. The observers made digital copies of the recount protocols using digital cameras. Based on the photographs, Promo-LEX central teams carried out a Tabulation of Recount Results, parallel to the CEC.

Despite technical deficiencies and a careless attitude shown by some election officials, the vote recount process met the deadlines and most of the legal standards. The Promo-LEX monitoring effort congratulates the CEC for the rapid organization of the majority of electoral officials across the country. Promo-LEX is also pleased to note a substantial increase in the number of PEB protocols compiled in compliance with the logical controls, based on the formulas suggested by the CEC.

Yet, the Promo-LEX observers found a number of irregularities and deficiencies in the recount process. To help improve similar efforts in the future and guided by its mission of a responsible monitoring effort Promo-LEX is drawing the attention of the relevant electoral stakeholders to the observations compiled in this document.

Among the observations of the Promo-LEX monitoring effort is the delayed start of the recount process. According to the CEC Guidelines, the recount was due to start at 08:00 beginning with the distribution of electoral materials from courts to PEBs. Delayed distribution of sacks with electoral documents was registered in 24 out of 35 electoral constituencies. Thusly, in 18 electoral constituencies the recount started with delays of up to one hour, and in 6 other electoral constituencies the process was delayed by more than one hour.

Other shortcomings were related to the training of the PEB members. Some DECs failed to give the recount specific instruction to the members of the PEBs before the day of the recount. In some regions the training was done on the very day of the recount, which delayed the process of distributing the electoral materials.

The Promo-LEX observers in 8 (23%) constituencies reported 30 isolated cases where the seals on the sacks containing the electoral materials were seemingly broken. Based on its observations, Promo-LEX can assert that the seals are of poor quality material that can easily scramble to pieces during transportation, relocation, or in other similar circumstances. Thusly the reports about broken seals are inconclusive as to evaluating the integrity of the electoral materials at this stage of the recount.

The dispatch of the packages with electoral materials for the recount breached some provisions of the CEC Guidelines. According to the Guidelines, the packages with the electoral documents are dispatched to the PEB chairperson in the presence of at least two PEB members, accompanied by a policeman. This requirement was observed only in 6 (17%) electoral constituencies; in 848 out of 1,962 polling stations this rule was not adhered to.

The ballot count normally follows two verification procedures: the preparatory procedure of compiling a Special Count Form and the procedure of verifying these preliminary data. The electoral officials failed to use any of these procedures during the December 15, 2010 recount, neither was it advised by any CEC regulations.

The electoral officers at some DECs prevented the Promo-LEX observers from taking digital photographs of the recount protocols. This occurred in particular in the Chisinau municipality, the districts of Botanica and Ciocana. The recount protocols from Ciocana were made available to the observers only on the day following the recount, at the Chisinau DEC. The reasons for the refusal in some cases were obscure, and this prompted the Promo-LEX to file a complaint. The response to the complaint was received on 17 December 2010, which reads the observers were prevented from taking pictures because they allegedly failed to inform the chairperson of the Chisinau Election Council “[…] of their intentions”. The observers could not find the DEC chairperson on that day, while readily and publicly available contacts to reach him were absent. In the end, the recount protocols from 3 polling stations from Botanica were never made available to the observers.

Following the processing of the 1,959 copies of the protocols available to the observers, Promo-LEX found deviations from the verification rules advised by the CEC in 147 protocols. For various objective reasons, including quality shortcomings of some photographs taken by the observers, 100 protocols were not processed and thusly excluded from the analysis.

After processing and calculating data from 1,712 (87%) domestic protocols, excluding the data from overseas voting, Promo-LEX has found that the Parallel Tabulation of the recount confirms the official preliminary results announced by the CEC immediately after elections. The maximum margin of error following the extrapolation of data from 1,962 polling stations in the country is 0.49%. A table containing comparative data is annexed.

The findings and the recommendations of the observation mission are formulated in good faith and aim to contribute to improving the electoral process. The Monitoring of the Preterm Parliamentary Elections of 28 November 2010 Project is carried out within the framework of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections. The project is implemented with technical and financial assistance from the United States Embassy in Moldova, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI). The opinions expressed in the report belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the donors.

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

DOC- PVT