17 September 2015, Chisinau – Promo-LEX Association launched on 17 September the Final Monitoring Report of the General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015. The document was discussed during a round table, with the participation of representatives of the relevant public institutions (Central Electoral Commission, Parliament Republic of Moldova, CCA, GPI, NAC etc.), civil society, mass media, and partners.

The report presents the performance of the key electoral stakeholders during the period between 3 April and 31 July 2015. Thus Promo-LEX Observation Mission has concluded that this year’s local elections were marked by a moderate participation of the population, a tight competition and satisfactory organization of the election by the relevant bodies.

See the Report here.

This year’s election started with the pre-election period marked by uncertainty regarding the organization of the election, and ECC had to amend the regulatory framework within less than a year until the elections, which is against the recommendations of the Venice Commission. With a few exceptions, the electoral bodies were set up within the time-frame set by the CEC electoral calendar and had, mostly, a correct and impartial behaviour towards the election candidates.

A major problem was the access to check the lists of voters, which has affected the voters’ trust in the electoral process, and the deficient interpretation of the electoral legislation on the preparation of the lists of voters based on residency has allowed the artificial migration of voters and has caused a few incidents involving violence and the ravaging of a polling station.

Promo-LEX mission also found that the current election campaign was latent in the beginning and became more dynamic in the last month, when the election candidates diversified the electioneering methods. Also, observers have worriedly identified isolated cases of violence and intimidation, use of provocative discourses leading to hatred against the counter-candidates, as well as the presents offered for electoral purposes.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission noticed a relative increase of the transparency level in reporting on the financial means used by the election candidates, but also the continuation of certain major shortcomings in this area. Also, in comparison with the Parliamentary Elections of 30 November 2014, Promo-LEX noticed less involvement of the local and regional mass-media in reflecting the election campaign for local elections.

On the basis of the findings of the final report, Promo-LEX Observation Mission formulated 42 recommendations for public authorities, election candidates and other relevant stakeholders aimed at improving the legal framework and the election procedures. The following are among the key recommendations:

• Develop, adopt and complement the Electoral Code with a new provision that would set a single date for the general local elections;
• Add norms to the Law on Personal Data Protection that would ensure transparency of and access to the lists of voters;
• Add norms to the Electoral Code that would ensure the exercise of the right to vote for voters who don’t have a domicile or residency;
• Amend the legal norms that regulate the votes recounting so that the expenses for the organization of the recounting to be covered by CEC if the initial results were found to be incorrect or by the party that has requested the recounting, if the initial results are confirmed;
• Establish a single financial threshold for all election candidates (independent candidates and candidates appointed by the political parties) at electoral constituency level, as well as establish the obligation of drafting financial reports for each electoral constituency;
• Ensure a mechanism to avoid the possibility of disguising the identity of the de facto donors of the election candidates (by wiring the financial resources to the party’s account and thereafter, to the electoral accounts through single transfers from the party’s account);
• Apply the existing gradual sanctions for the violation of the legislation on election campaigns financing, without selective approaches for some election candidates, political parties and/or independent candidates;
• Hold accountable the persons guilty of having used administrative resources, offered electoral presents, used forbidden symbols during the election campaign, instigated to violence and intimidated citizens.

The findings and recommendations of the Observation Mission for the 2015 General Local Elections were possible to be made thanks to the involvement of 1954 national observers. The recommendations result from the findings arrived to in more than 5786 reports obtained from Promo-LEX observers in the field, including 3719 comprehensive reports on visits, 1814 reports on events / incidents, 253 district reports and 1836 reports developed on the election day. Promo-LEX also conducted the Quick Count and the Parallel Vote Tabulation in three constituencies: Chisinau, Balti and Comrat.

The Final Monitoring Report of the 2015 General Local Elections is developed on the basis of four interim reports submitted during the election campaign and of 2 totalization reports on the election day.

We remind you that Promo-LEX Observation Mission declares itself to be neutral and equidistant towards the election candidates, it is not an investigation body and does not assume the express obligation to support the observers’ findings by evidence.

The General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 were monitored by Promo-LEX Association under its Monitoring Democratic Processes Program. The Observation Mission is part of the activities, carried out by the civil society under the aegis of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections. The Observation Mission of the General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 was supported financially U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Council of Europe and benefits of technical assistance provided by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).

For additional information, please contact: Simion Ciochină, Communication Officer of the 2015 General Local Elections Observation Mission, Tel: 0 (22) 49 26 84, GSM: (+373) 69 11 96 94, E-mail: [email protected].

29 June 2015, Chisinau// On the day of second-round General Local Elections of 2015, Promo-LEX Association performed the parallel vote tabulation in Chisinau and Comrat municipalities.  Promo-LEX observers collected data from 308 polling stations from Chisinau and 12 polling stations from Comrat

According to Pavel Postica, head of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission, the results of the parallel vote tabulation in Chisinau mun. do not differ significantly from the preliminary data announced by CEC. ”As reported by our observers, 163,544 persons voted for Dorin Chirtoaca, whereas the Central Electoral Commission presented 163,570 votes. Thus, there is a difference of 26 votes in the favor of the current mayor. At the same time, Zinaida Greceanii accumulated 141,953 votes, and CEC counted 141,929 votes, i.e. by 24 less. These figures are insignificant and occurred because 13 wrong protocols were registered in Chisinau. Most of these errors were made because some electoral officials were tired or trained insufficiently”, stated Pavel Postica.

See the Report here.

At the same time, the parallel vote tabulation performed by Promo-LEX Association in Comrat mun. corresponds fully with the CEC data. ”The preliminary voting outcomes show that candidate Serghei Anastasov accumulated 6357 votes, and Nicolai Dudoglo – 5119 votes”, stated Pavel Postica.

We remind that the Elections Observation Mission of Promo-LEX consisted of over 1500 national observers throughout the whole period of the General Local Elections of 2015. In addition, the Association conducted ”COME to VOTE!” Campaign, with the purpose of promoting informed and conscious voting among the electorate of the Republic of Moldova.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission declares itself to be neutral and equidistant towards the election candidates, it is not an investigation body and does not assume the express obligation to support the observers’ findings by evidence.

The General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 are monitored by Promo-LEX Association under its Monitoring Democratic Processes Program. The Observation Mission is part of the activities, carried out by the civil society under the aegis of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections.

The Observation Mission of the General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 is supported financially U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Council of Europe and benefits of technical assistance provided by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI). The opinions presented in the press release belong to authors and do not necessarily reflect the donors’ view.

For additional information please contact: Simion Ciochina, Communication Officer of the Observation Mission for the 2015 General Local Elections, Tel: 0 (22) 49 26 84, GSM: (+373) 69 11 96 94, E-mail: [email protected]

7.00 pm, 28 June 2015 // Chisinau

Until 7:00 pm, the Promo-LEX observers recorded a number of worrying cases of electoral process violation. They include: corruption of voters, taking ballot papers out of the polling station, violation of the principle of secret voting, illegal voting, voting on the basis of inappropriate documents and intimidation of Association’s observers.

The presented data were collected from 186 observers, who are monitoring the electoral process throughout the whole country, in 93 mobile teams, as well as from the 320 observers present in all polling stations from Chisinau and Comrat municipalities. A summary thereof is presented below.

Enabling PS Infrastructure on the Election Day

According to the reports of Promo-LEX observers, there were found 18 problematic PSs:

• lack of safe boxes (PS 18, Andrusul de Jos v.,  Cahul d.; PS 55,  Pervomaiscoe v., Hancesti d.; PS 18, Chircaiestii Noi v., PS 19, Baurci v., PS 35, Pervomaisc v., Causeni d.; PS 49, Lugovoe v., Soroca d.; PS 37, Poiana v., Edinet d.; PS 3, Sangerei t. (because of this the ballot papers are stored in inappropriate places, outside the PS);
• inappropriate location of the voting booths, so that the voters’ choices could be seen (PSs 1, 8, 9, Causeni t.; PS 10, Cainari t., Causeni d.; PS 68, Slobozia Varancau v., Soroca d.);
• inaccessibility of PS for people with mobility impairments (PS 10, Rassvet v., Straseni d.; PS 56, Piatra v., Orhei d.);
• defficient operation of the operators’ laptops of the State Register of Voters (SRV) (PS 53, Suvorovca v., Falesti d.);
• presence of only one operator in the polling station (PS 40, Gavanoasa v., Cahul d.);
• problems with Internet connection (PS 284, Bubuieci v., Chisinau mun.);
• deterioration of the ballot box seal (in PS 304, Truseni v., Chisinau mun.).

Procedural Violations by EOPS Members

• In PS 31, Pelinia v., Drochia d., one voter signed by mistake instead of another person in the list of voters. The EOPS members changed the information in the respective section using a correction pen and allowed the voter to vote.
• In PS 120, Chisinau mun., the mobile ballot box was taken in the field only by one EOPS member.

Voting on the Basis of Inappropriate Documents

Promo-LEX observers reported three cases when people voted on the basis of inappropriate documents:

• In PSs 164 and 189, Chisinau mun., one person voted without the loose leaf of the ID card;
• In PS 75, Chisinau mun., one person voted with an expired ID card.

Failure to apply the “Local Elections.28.06.2015. Second round ” Stamp in the loose leaf of the ID card

In PS 189, Chisinau mun., one person voted without having the respective stamp applied in the loose leaf of the ID card.

Illegal Voting

Promo-LEX observers found two cases of illegal cases in two PSs. Thus, in each of PS 47, Mingir, Hancesti d., and in PS 3, Briceni t., an elector who established his residence within the area of those PSs was allowed to vote on the additional lists.

Sales of Alcoholic Beverages

Three cases were alcoholic beverages were sold in the close proximity to polling stations were noticed (PS 26, Coscalia v., Causeni d.; PS 70, Vertiujeni v., Floresti d.). Besides, in Baxani v., Soroca d., a group of drunk people were sleeping near the store, located close to PS 17.

Lists of Voters

In PS 299, Stauceni com., Chisinau mun., a family found 4 strangers, registered as having the residence in their house.

Electioneering on the Voting Day

Promo-LEX observers found five cases of electioneering on the voting day:

• In PS 19, Cairaclia v., Taraclia d., the supporter of an election contestant stood for one hour in front of the PS for purposes of electioneering. EOPS chairmans and policeman intervened to resolve the situation;
• In PS 58, Elizaveta v., Balti mun., the voters queueing up to the voting booths discussed purposefully their electoral choices;
• In the Great National Assembly Square of Chisinau mun., during a manifestation to commemorate the Soviet occupation, the supporter of an election contestant held the flag of the respective party;
• In PSs 147 and 253, Codru t., Chisinau mun., a MP of the RM Parliament visited the PS and talked with voters.

Electoral Advertising in Close Proximity to PS

In PS 310, Chisinau mun.; PS 27, Copaceni v., Sangerei d.; PS 43, Grigorauca v., Sangerei d.; PS 3, Sangerei t.– electoral posters were found close to the PS.

Collecting the Ballot Papers

In PS 2, Oxentea v., Dubasari d., two supporters of an election contestant collected by fraud at least three ID Cards of some elderly people from the settlement. They were told that in such a way they will have the possibility to vote at home.

Taking the Ballot Paper out of the Polling Station

Promo-LEX observers reported 2 cases of ballot papers being taken out of the PS:

• In PS 56, Piatra v., Orhei d., two EOPS members took out the ballot papers for a voter with mobility impairments, and he voted outside with the help of an assistance, who then deposited the papers in the ballot box;
• In PS 2, Comrat t., a voter who was not allowed to vote on the basis of “Form No 9”, which expired in 2014, stole a ballot paper.  After which he shouted the name of an election contestant and ran away from the PS. With the help of the police, the citizen was apprehended, and the ballot paper was recovered.

Violation of the Secret Voting Principle

In PS 12, Comrat t., one voter took a picture of the ballot paper, and another voter showed to everyone his ballot. In both cases the ballot papers were annulled, and others were issued instead.

In PS 46, Napadova v.,  Floresti d., when leaving the voting booth one voter showed to the people present there his ballot, before depositing it in the ballot box.

Organized Transportation of Voters

Promo-LEX observers reported cases of organized transportation of voters in 9 PSs:

• in PS 3, Comrat t., two cars (registration numbers KA 55 NPZ and GE AC 565) transported each four voters 3 times;
• In PS 284 Bubuieci v., Chisinau mun., a Škoda car with the registration number C QW 796 transported voters 3 times;
• in PS 280 (at least twice) and in PS 276 (once), Bacioi v., Chisinau mun. by a car (registration number K PW 244);
• in PS 11, Comrat t., voters were transported by cars: VAZ (registration number GE GH 428) – 4 people twice; VAZ (registration number CO AO 201) – 3 persons 3 times; Mercedes minibus (registration number GE AO 877) – 5 people 4 times;
• 4 citizens, inhabitants of Ghiduleni v., Rezina d. were brought, by a car with Transnistrian registration number P 551 CB, to the Population Recording and Registration Section of Rezina t. in order to register their residence in that settlement and then to vote in Ghiduleni v. Promo-LEX observers reported that the transportation of voters was organized by a candidate for the position of Mayor;
• In PS 13, Frasin v., Donduseni d., a white Ford Tranzit car transported several voters to the PS at the order of an election contestant;in PS 308, Ghidighici v., Chisinau mun., 15 voters were transported by a bus with the registration number H 2361 BH;
• in PS 26, Coscalia v., Causeni d., a Ford Mondeo car (registration number A 726 SO) transported supporters of an election contestant.

Presence of Unauthorized Persons in the PS

• In PS 11, Comrat t., an unknown citizen stood for one hour in front of the PS, manifesting violence many times. The police forced him to leave.
• In PS 151, Chisinau mun., an MP in the RM Parliament, entered several times the PS during the day, being registered as MP among observers.
• In PS 60, Ivanovca v., Floresti d., the sector policeman stayed inside the polling station.
• In PS 16, Beștemac v., Leova d., the voting process is monitored by the observers of two former election candidates.

Procedural Violations by Observers and Representatives with the Right to Consultative Vote

In PS 58, Elizaveta v., Balti mun., the observer and representative of an election contestant (social workers by profession) were talking to elderly voters.

Observer Intimidation

In PS 26, Coscalia v., Causeni d., a Ford Mondeo car (registration number CS AR 423) permanently followed the mobile team of Promo-LEX. According to the locals, the car belongs to an election contestant.

Incidents

In PS 13, Cotova v., Drochia d., the label with information about the PS was torn in the morning of the voting day.

In PS 308 Ghidighici v., Chisinau mun., a local councillor brought 4 health certificates, on the basis of which some people were supposed to vote. When asked by an inhabitant about the reason for health certificates, he attacked him physically. The case is being investigated by the police.

In PS 4, Comrat t., one voter tore the ballot paper and caused a scandal in the PS, when he found in the list of voters other 2 people domiciled on his address. They called the police and the voting process was suspended for 7 minutes. Later, another voter caused a scandal on the same reason.

In PS 10, Bocani v., Falesti d., the observer from an election contestant stayed at the entrance of the polling station for an hour and prohibited the access into the PS to voters who do not live in the village, but have the residence there. The incident was resolved after the intervention of the sector policeman.

Corruption of Voters

In PS 35, Draguseni v., Soldanesti d., the relative of an election contestant gave MDL 100 to a citizen, to pay for his debts at the local pub. Being invited on the site, the sector policeman found this fact, but did not qualify it as an attempt to buy the vote.

In PS 26, Coscalia v., Causeni d., persons who voted were served alcoholic beverages at the grocery store, located at 20 m from the PS.

Situation in Topala v., Cimislia d.

About 30 people are protesting in the vicinity of PS 44 from Topala v., Cimislia d. because strangers are allegedly trying to vote in there, being at the same time outraged by the plenty of policemen present in the settlement. Representatives of law enforcement bodies were present in the field: 5 persons in uniform and 8 persons in plain clothes. Being blocked by protesters, the police is trying to ensure free access to the polling station, by organizing a corridor at the entrance to the PS for those who want to vote.

45 people voted on additional lists until 6.00 pm. All these people are not inhabitants of this village, but registered their residence in late May and early June.

The president of ECC II had talked with the protesters for an hour. Likewise, there were present representatives of three parties that have electoral candidates.

EOPS 44, Topala v., refused to record 5 complaints from some election candidates and referred them to ECC II. The complaints referred to voting on the basis of expired ID cards, voting by persons without the domicile or residence in that settlement, violation of the secret voting principles by EOPS members.

Complaints

6 complaints were filed in PS 11, Comrat t. (5 of them were against one contestant).

An election candidate filed two complaints to the ECC M of Chisinau mun., asking to exclude one member from EOPS 57, arguing that he did not reach the age of majority, as well as a member from EOPS 1/1 from Codru t, arguing relations with affinity with one of the election candidates.

In PS 12, Cimiseni v., Criuleni d., 6 complaints were submitted.  The first 3 complaints, submitted by representatives of two political parties, were against the shooting of the electoral process by a journalist from Euro TV. Other 3 complaints were submitted by an election contestant against the transportation of voters and buying of votes.

Two election candidates submitted complaints to ECC II against the electioneering activities, carried out in the vicinity of PS 5, Basarabeasca t. While one election contestant accuses the other of electioneering, the latter denies the accusations and qualifies the case as misinformation.

Black PR

“Moldova Yesterday” group disseminated on social networks some parts of the video clips produced by Promo-LEX Association as part of the “COME TO VOTE” Campaign. The clips were used in order to promote a candidate for the position of Mayor of Chisinau on the elections day.

Tomorrow, 29 June, 10.00 am, Promo-LEX Association will organize the next press briefing to present information regarding the parallel vote tabulation in Chisinau and Comrat municipalities.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission declares itself to be neutral and equidistant towards the election candidates, it is not an investigation body and does not assume the express obligation to support the observers’ findings by evidence.

The General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 are monitored by Promo-LEX Association under its Monitoring Democratic Processes Program. The Observation Mission is part of the activities carried out by the civil society under the aegis of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections.

The Observation Mission of the General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 is supported financially U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Council of Europe and benefits of technical assistance provided by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).

The opinions presented in the press release belong to authors and do not necessarily reflect the donors’ view.

For additional information please contact: Simion Ciochina, Communication Officer of the Observation Mission for the 2015 General Local Elections, Tel: 0 (22) 49 26 84, GSM: (+373) 69 11 96 94, E-mail: [email protected].

Promo-LEX Association presented the results for the monitoring of the polling stations opening for the second round of the 2015 General Local Elections. The presented data were collected from 186 observers, who are monitoring the electoral process throughout the whole country, in 93 mobile teams, as well as from the 320 observers present in all polling stations from Chisinau and Comrat municipalities.

We remind that today repeated elections are organized in 3 PS (PSs 45-46, Ulmu v., r. Ialoveni d., and PS 4, Topala v., Cimislia d.).

According to Promo-LEX observers, the second round of the General Local Elections started in an ordinary regime, though some violations were reported as of 10.00 am. A summary thereof is presented below.

Polling Stations Opening

Promo-LEX observers found that PS 7 from Taraclia t., opened by 10 minutes earlier, while PS 4 from Glodeni t. and PS 4 from Basarabeasca t. opened 5 minutes later.

In Chisinau mun. 29 (9.4%) of the 308 polling stations were opened earlier or later than 7:00 am (Figure 1)

Figure 1. Time of Polling Stations Opening, Chisinau mun.

Other problems related to the opening of PS: late counting of ballot papers (PS 150, Chisinau mun.), operation of the State Register of Voters (SRV) (PS 190, Chisinau mun.), delayed preparation of the protocol (PS 153, Chisinau mun.; PS 4, Glodeni t.), problems with Internet connection (PS 153, Chisinau mun.), EOPS member missing (PS 153, Chisinau mun.), recounting of ballot papers at the insistence of an observer (PS 4, Basarabeasca t.).

Enabling PS Infrastructure on the Election Day

Promo-LEX observers found a number of violations as regards the infrastructure of polling stations. Thus:

• In some polling stations the safe box is located in another building (PS 140, Chisinau mun.; PS 7, Tvardita t., Taraclia d.; PS 22, Hartopul Mic v., Criuleni d.; SV 5, Rezina t.);
• the voting booths are located very close to each other, which does not guarantee secret voting (PS 120, Chisinau mun.; PS 44, Floresti d.; PSs 4 and 5 Causeni);
• electioneering in the vicinity of polling stations (PSs 4 and 5, Causeni t.);
• Voting in the second round of the elections with „Local Elections 14.06.2015” seal (in PS 55, Rosu v., Cahul d., the wrong seal was applied to at least 30 voters);

In Chisinau mun. some violations related to the opening of polling stations were also reported:

• the ballot box was not sealed appropriately (PS 218);
• presence of electoral posters in the vicinity of 30 polling stations (9.7%) (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Presence of Electoral Posters in the Vicinity of Polling Station (within the area of 100 m from the PS).

Enabling the Voting Infrastructure for Persons with Disabilities

Promo-LEX observers found that 144 of the 308 polling stations from Chisinau mun. (about 47%) cannot be accessed by persons with mobility impairments. At the same time, 68 polling stations (about 22%) are not provided with appropriate equipment for persons with mobility impairments, and 165 stations (about 53%) – for persons with vision impairments.

Violation of the Secret Voting Principle

In non-compliance with the legal requirements, in PS 92, Chisinau mun., at the request of an elderly person, the deputy chairman of EOPS helped him to apply the seal next to an election contestant. In PS 4, Alcedar v., Soldanesti, some voters deposited the ballot paper in the ballot box in such a manner as to show purposefully who they voted for.

Voting on the Basis of Inappropriate Documents

Promo-LEX observers found three cases when people voted on the basis ID cards without the loose leaf (PS 6, Straseni t.). The EOPS chairman argued that this was possible, because these people had been already included in the list of voters.

Sales of Alcoholic Beverages in Close Proximity to PS

Promo-LEX observers found two cases when alcoholic beverages were sold in the close proximity to polling stations:

• PSs 1 and 3, Soroca t., within less than 50 meters from the PS there is a store that sells alcoholic beverages;
• PS 4, Soldanesti d., at a distance of about 40 meters from the PS, a store is selling spirits. The PS chairman spoke to the store owner, asking not to sell alcoholic beverages, but she refused to follow the request.

Today, 28 June, 3:00 pm, Promo-LEX Association will organize the next press briefing to present information regarding the electoral process.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission declares itself to be neutral and equidistant towards the election candidates; it is not an investigation body and does not assume the express obligation to support the observers’ findings by evidence.

The General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 are monitored by Promo-LEX Association under its Monitoring Democratic Processes Program. The Observation Mission is part of the activities carried out by the civil society under the aegis of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections.

The Observation Mission of the General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 is supported financially U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Council of Europe and benefits of technical assistance provided by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).

The opinions presented in the press release belong to authors and do not necessarily reflect the donors’ view.

For additional information please contact: Simion Ciochina, Communication Officer of the Observation Mission for the 2015 General Local Elections, Tel: 0 (22) 49 26 84, GSM: (+373) 69 11 96 94, E-mail: [email protected]

2.00 pm, 28 June 2015 // Chisinau

3 attempts to rig elections, 7 cases of electioneering on the voting day, 5 cases of organized transportation of voters, 8 cases of sales of alcoholic beverages in the close proximity of polling stations – are only some of the key findings, reported by Promo-LEX observers as of 2.00 pm.

The presented data were collected from 186 observers, who are monitoring the electoral process throughout the whole country, in 93 mobile teams, as well as from the 320 observers present in all polling stations from Chisinau and Comrat municipalities. A summary thereof is presented below.

Enabling PS Infrastructure on the Election Day

According to the reports of Promo-Lex observers, there are still deficiencies with the infrastructure of polling stations (PSs). Thus, the following were found in other 19 PSs:

• lack of safe boxes (PS 14 Bilicenii Noi v.; PS 16, Mandrestii Noi v.; PS 51, Pepeni v.; PS 64, Octeabrscoe v., Sangerei d.; PS 44, Stolniceni v., Edinet d.; PSs 14 and SV 16, Costești v., Ialoveni d.; PS 20, Hasnasenii Noi v., Drochia d.; PS 38, Grozasca v.; PS 37, Floritoaia Noua v.,  Ungheni d.; PS 6, Cimislia t.). Promo-LEX observers state that because of this the ballot papers are stored in other places than required by law;
• problems with the Internet connection (PS Glodeni t.), problems with Internet connection (PS 51, Pascani v., Cahul d., PSs 184 and 185, Chisinau mun.);
• inappropriate location of the voting booths (PS 11, Dumitreni v., Floresti d.), so that the voters’ choices could be seen;
• poor illumination of the polling station (PS 6, Biruinta v., Sangerei d.);
• lack of an ink-pad in a voting booth (PS 6, Causeni t.). Because of this voters use only two of the three available booths;
• lack of the panel with the identification data of the polling station (PS 45, Voinova v., Straseni d.; PS 63, Tambula v., Sangerei d.).

In addition, Promo-LEX observers reported 6 PSs with deficiencies related to the sealing of ballot boxes:

• the lack of seal on mobile ballot boxes was found in PS 11, Ungheni t., and PS 22, Pelivan v. and PS 30, Cucuruzeni v., both from Orhei d.
• broken seal on mobile ballot boxes was found in PS 25, Iorjnita v.,  Soroca d.; PS 19, Cosernita v. and SV 45, Marculesti v.,  Floresti d. (the last two seals were fixed with a thread).

Procedural Violations by EOPS Members

In PS 140, Chisinau mun., the mobile ballot box was taken earlier in the field only by one EOPS member.

Besides, in PS 155, Chisinau mun., one voter damaged the ballot paper and left it in the booth, after which an EOPS member took the ballot and deposited it in the ballot box.

Voting on the Basis of Inappropriate Documents

Promo-LEX observers found three cases when people voted on the basis of inappropriate documents. In PS 3, Causeni t., the stamp „Elections 28 June 2015” was applied on the laminated loose leaf of a voter, and in PS 92, Chisinau mun. and PS 23, Dusmani v., Glodeni d., each one person voted without the loose leaf of the ID card.

Failure to apply the “Voted” Stamp in the ID Card

In PS 248, Chisinau mun., one person voted without having the “Elections 28 June 2015” stamp applied in the loose leaf of the ID card.

Sales of Alcoholic Beverages

Promo-LEX observers found 8 cases of sales of alcoholic beverages in close proximity to the polling stations (PS 4, Basarabeasca t.; PS 26, Harbovat v., Anenii Noi d.; PS 119; PSs 14 and 16, Costești v., Ialoveni d.; PS 45, Voinova v., Straseni d.; PS 35, Sarcova v., Rezina d.).

In addition, alcoholic beverages are sold in Chisinau mun. in the close vicinity of 40 of the 308 polling stations (about 13%).

Figure 1. Sales of Alcoholic Beverages, Chisinau municipality

Electioneering in Close Proximity to PS

Promo-LEX observers reported 7 cases of electioneering in close proximity to PS:

• in PS 58, Bocsa v., Falesti d., there were 10-15 persons wearing T-shirts with the logo of an election contestant;
• in PS 7, Cimislia t., 5 representatives of an election contestant, accompanied by the former district chairman, carried out electioneering activities;
• in PS 35, Sircova v., Rezina d., the candidate of an election contestant to the position of mayor marked his car, with the symbols of the party in the close proximity to the PS (registration number C MY 536);
• in PS 3, Basarabeasca t., two persons were carrying out electioneering activities;
• close to PS 34, Speia v., Anenii Noi d., an election contestant was talking to voters;
• in PS 36, Floritoaia Veche v, Ungheni d., at a distance of about 100 meters from the PS, the supporter of an election contestant was carrying out electioneering activities;
• in PS, Orhei d., a car with the logo of an election contestant brought two observers to the PS, one of whom was drunk and causing noise (the latter did not have an accreditation).

Electoral Posters in Close Proximity to PS

Promo-LEX observers reported several cases when electoral advertising was posted close to the PS (PS 2, Basarabeasca t.; PS 36, Telita v., Anenii Noi d.; PS 12, Albina v., Cimislia d.; PS 54, Prepelita v., Sangerei d.).

Illegal Voting

In PS 15, Ciuciulea v., Glodeni d., a voter who established his/her residence in the village on 25 June 2015, managed to vote.

Organized Transportation of Voters

Promo-LEX observers reported 5 cases of transportation of voters:

• in PS 5, Basarabeasca t., the supporter of an election contestant brought at least 5 voters to the PS by a private vehicle – VAZ 2103 (registration number – BS AF 209), with the insignia of an election contestant on it;
• in PS 20, Rediul Mare v., Donduseni d., a candidate for the position of Mayor organized the transportation of voters by a car with the registration number C MX 833;
• in PS 14 and 16 from Costesti v., Ialoveni d., the brother of a candidate for the position of Mayor was transporting voters to the PS by a car with the registration number IL BM 484;
• In PS 14, Cusnirca v., Soldanesti d., an election contestant was transporting great numbers of voters in the following means of transportation: Mercedes Sprinter – SD AE 775; VAZ 2101 – SD AA 460; Niva 2121 – SD AF 973; VAZ 2108 – SR BD 335; Volkswagen Pasat – OR AH 730 (the total number of transported persons is of about 50).

Presence of Unauthorized Persons in the PS

In PS 5, Cosnita v., Dubasari d., a candidate for the position of Mayor introduced himself to the members of the Office as a national observer, claiming that he was accredited. Upon Promo-LEX observers’ demand to present the accreditation certificate again, the refused to and left the PS.

Also, in PS 151, Chisinau mun., a Member of the Moldovan Parliament, who does not have her domicile or residence visa in the area corresponding to the PS, spent about 10 minutes inside the PS, asking those present there about how was the voting going on.

Observers’ Activity Disturbance in the PS

In PS 6, Cimislia t., the Promo-LEX observer was not allowed to enter the PS on the ground that only the observer who was in the PS concerned during the first round of elections can be present there.

Procedural Violations by Observers

In PS 84, Chisinau mun., the observer of an election contestant helped an elderly person to vote.

Attempts to Rig Elections

In PS 44, Topala v., Cimislia d., at least 20 persons protest in front of the PS because a stranger, who established her legal address in that village right before the first tour of elections, was allowed to vote. The protesters do not let persons who are strangers in the village to vote in the PS. About 6 policemen keep the public order and the voting goes on undisturbed.

In PS 277, Bacioi com., Chisinau mun., the EOPS Chairperson noticed that 4 voters (included on the additional lists having a temporary residence visa) who voted, introduced into the ballot box only one ballot paper (while they were suppose to throw in 2 ballot papers each – one for the position of Mayor General and the other – for the local Mayor), with 4 other ballot papers being taken along. When the EOPS Chairperson intervened, she was assaulted. Later, the police was called on-site (at this moment in time there are 5 police watches are in front of the PS with their beacon light on) looking for the 4 voters. It is worth mentioning that these persons came to the PS by a BMW car, the registration number being JBR 101. A protocol was developed with regards to this incident.

In PS 98, Chisinau mun., an inebriated voter tore the ballot paper up.  The police was summoned on the scene and a protocol was drawn up.

Misinformation

In PS 7, Otaci v., Ocnita d., a former candidate for the position of Mayor brought 2 persons to the PS whom he introduced as representatives of the TVC 21 television channel, although the letters on the microphone said TSN. Those persons were working on a coverage about the fact that in that PS cases of voter corruption were registered.  Besides that, 3 other persons, who introduced themselves as mass media representatives (although they did not present any journalist card), were carrying out an interview with a citizen who was talking about voter corruption cases and other severe incidents.  The Promo-LEX observer, present on the ground said the rumours were not true.

Today, 28 June, 8:00 pm, Promo-LEX Association will organize the next press briefing to present information regarding the electoral process.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission declares itself to be neutral and equidistant towards the election candidates, it is not an investigation body and does not assume the express obligation to support the observers’ findings by evidence.

The General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 are monitored by Promo-LEX Association under its Monitoring Democratic Processes Program. The Observation Mission is part of the activities carried out by the civil society under the aegis of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections.

The Observation Mission of the General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 is supported financially U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Council of Europe and benefits of technical assistance provided by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).

The opinions presented in the press release belong to authors and do not necessarily reflect the donors’ view.

For additional information please contact: Simion Ciochina, Communication Officer of the Observation Mission for the 2015 General Local Elections, Tel: 0 (22) 49 26 84, GSM: (+373) 69 11 96 94, E-mail: [email protected]

26 June 2015 // Chisinau – Altercations between representatives of two parties in Bacioi v., Chisinau mun.; violent assault of an election contestant in Racovat v., Soroca d.; distribution of leaflets in the vicinity of several churches in Chisinau mun., which denigrated the image of a candidate for the position of Mayor of Chisinau mun. These are some of the most severe violations stated in the fourth Report of the Elections Observation Mission, presented by Promo-LEX. The report covers the electoral process in the Republic of Moldova during the period of 15-24 June 2015, on the basis of the findings made by Promo-LEX observers. See the report HERE.

According to the Promo-LEX Association’s report, during the election campaign for the second round of the General Local Elections of 28 June 2015 the number of electoral activities was lower. Thus, the election contestants organized at least 13 meetings with voters, 12 electoral concerts, and six election candidates carried out „door-to-door” activities. The outdoor and media advertising decreased, as well. At the same time, a big part of contestants submitted complaints, asking for the votes to be recounted.

“During the monitored period, the electoral bodies had an intense working regime, and focused on the processing of the results of the first round of voting. CEC adopted six Election Regulatory Decisions and reviewed a complaint, filed by one election candidate. At the same time, the second-level Constituency Councils and courts of law reviewed at least 37 complaints, 20 of which focused on votes recounting”, stated Pavel Postica, head of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission.

Promo-LEX analyzed the financial statements, submitted by election candidates to CEC during 6-12 June, and compared them with the observers’ findings in the field. Thus, Promo-LEX established that only 17 of all election candidates submitted financial statements to CEC, and 14 reported revenue and expenses. According to observers, during the reporting period only 786 citizens contributed with funds with the campaign budgets of political parties and electoral blocks. They donated approximately MDL 13.51 million.

“Overall, the election candidates reported to CEC revenue totalling at MDL 17.77 million. Most of the expenses reported by election candidates (71%) were intended for advertising. No election contestant reported any “salaries of temporary employed staff” as expenses during the reporting period. Insignificant amounts were reported on the lines of “rental of offices” and “related utilities”. Only one election contestant reported “expenses related to the delegation or secondment of people”. At the same time, the largest expenses for the election campaign of the 2015 local elections were reported by PDM – MDL 23.68 million, accounting for 39.98% of the threshold set by CEC. PSRM ranks the second – MDL 14.53 million (24.53%), and PPPN ranks the third with MDL 11.63 million (19.63%)”, stated Cornelia Calin, financial analyst of Promo-LEX Observation Mission.

At the same time, Promo-LEX recommends to criminal prosecution bodies to charge the persons guilty of having used administrative resources, offered electoral presents, instigated to violence and intimidated citizens.

We remind that the Promo-LEX Observation Mission will monitor on 28 June the second round of the 2015 General Local Elections and will organize three press conferences during the day, where it will present qualitative and quantitative information about the conduct of the electoral process on the whole territory of the Republic of Moldova. Promo-LEX will perform the parallel vote tabulation in Chisinau and Comrat municipalities.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission declares itself to be neutral and equidistant towards the election candidates; it is not an investigation body and does not assume the express obligation to support the observers’ findings by evidence.

The General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 are monitored by Promo-LEX Association under its Monitoring Democratic Processes Program. The Observation Mission is part of the activities carried out by the civil society under the aegis of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections.

The Observation Mission of the General Local Elections of 14 (28) June 2015 is supported financially U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Council of Europe and benefits of technical assistance provided by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).

The opinions presented in the report belong to authors and do not necessarily reflect the donors’ view.

For additional information please contact: Simion Ciochina, Communication Officer of the Observation Mission for the 2015 General Local Elections, Tel: 0 (22) 49 26 84, GSM: (+373) 69 11 96 94, E-mail: [email protected]