Promo-LEX observers monitored the conduct of new local elections and by-elections – the first of their kind after the 2023 general local elections – in nine localities across the country.

In five localities, the elections were held due to the small number of candidates or even the lack of candidates in last autumn’s elections, and in four – because the mayors elected in November 2023 were subsequently elected as rayon presidents.

In two of the nine localities – the villages of Chioselia Rusă and Cotovscoe (ATU Gagauzia) – people voted for both mayors and local councillors; in the v. Sagaidac (r. Cimislia), c. Tîrnova (r. Dondușeni), c. Hănăsenii Noi (r. Leova) and town of Bucovăț (r. Strășeni) – votes were cast only for mayors, and in c. Cealîc, s. Cairaclia and c. Salcia (r. Taraclia) – only for local councillors.

The following information was collected and reported by three long-term observers (LTOs) and seven short-term observers (STOs), who monitored each of the 13 constituted polling stations (PSs).

Overall, the elections were organised and conducted transparently and efficiently by the CEC. The permanent chairpersons of the level II electoral councils (CEC II) were also actively involved. However, the lack of a permanent electoral body, in the case of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia (ATUG), hindered the work of the lower electoral bodies in ATUG. In addition, at least at the initial stage of the training and work of electoral officials in ATUG and Taraclia, there were difficulties due to their insufficient knowledge of Romanian.

The data on the number of voters was transparent and access was given to the electoral rolls. Candidate registration was carried out according to the rules.

The election campaign was not very active, with most of the actions taking place in the last week before election day. The main way of campaigning has been door-to-door. In some localities Promo-LEX observers identified rumours of voter bribery, but the information could not be verified. There was little interest in the campaign from local and regional media. Observers encountered no obstacles in monitoring the elections.

Election Day. Opening procedures were observed in six PSs. Polling stations opened without delay. At the same time, only in one polling station the opening solemnity was ensured by singing the anthem and displaying the state flag. Cameras did not record the entire opening process in two polling stations (22/27; 33/21), and in one station (13/26) there was no safe for keeping ballot papers not distributed to polling station staff.

Basically, voting on election day was efficiently organised and ran smoothly. However, Promo-LEX observers reported 24 incidents, most of which related to unjustified group voting (6 cases – 11/39 Sagaidac), violation of the secrecy of voting (4 cases – 33/26 Salcia, 11/39 Sagaidac), interruption of the filming process (3 cases – 33/26 Salcia, 22/27 Hănăsănii Noi, 33/21 Samurza) and unjustified presence of unauthorised persons (3 cases – 22/27 Hănăsănii Noi, 11/39 Sagaidac).

The polling stations were closed according to the rules. The counting of votes by the electoral bodies was carried out swiftly. At the same time, four polling station offices (11/39 Sagaidac, 13/25 Tirnova, 33/22 Cealic, 36/57 Cotovskoe) ignored the rule whereby only one member had to present the ballot paper for counting. One polling station (13/25 Tîrnova) was insufficiently lit and in another (33/22 Cealîc) the video camera was not placed next to the vote counting table.

The observation mission also carried out a parallel vote count. According to Promo-LEX preliminary findings, all polls are valid and in four localities mayors were elected in the first round (see the table). In two other localities (Bucovăț and Tîrnova) the second round of elections will be held in two weeks’ time.

Parallel counting of votes obtained by candidates for local councillor positions also confirms the preliminary results presented by CEC.

The minutes, according to the Mission, were completed by EBPS without errors.

Promo-LEX Association is an NGO having the largest experience in election monitoring at national level. Since 2009, this is the 27th Mission organised with the involvement of more than 17 thousand national observers. The purpose of the Observation Missions is to inform the public about the organisation and conduct of the elections and to increase confidence in the electoral process. The Observation Mission is taking place with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

For more information:

Dumitrița Ciuvaga
Communicator
Promo-LEX Association
Tel: +373 68 800 827

June 3, 2018

Time: 22.30

Promo-LEX OM finds,

Intimidation of Promo-LEX observers – 1 case
PS 252 Riscani. The president of the PS intimidated the observer and used obscene words.

Unjustified presence of unauthorized persons in the polling station or within 50 meters of the polling station – 6 cases
PS 69 Botanica. An unidentified person entered the polling station and began to ask the EBPS president if ballots were kept in a secure place. Then he had questions about the tricolor that had no emblem on it and was kept in the PS. At the Promo-LEX observer’s intervention, the man presented himself as a local councilor, but he fugitively presented his accreditation, without allowing the observer to see it properly. From other people’s statements, the man is a local councilor representing a political party.
PS 17 Botanica. A party member was near the PS during the voting.
PS 231 Riscani. Two representatives of an election contender spent 3-4 minutes within the PS and communicated with the party observers, after which they left.
PS 69 Botanica. Representatives of an election contender came to the PS and invited party observers, as well as an EBPS member for a discussion.  The observers and EBPS members went out. When the EBPS member and the observers left, the Promo-LEX observer asked the representatives why they were there, to which they replied that it was their right and they wanted to check if everything was okay. The deputies tried to intimidate the observer and told him that if he wanted, he could appeal to the police and write an appeal to the president, then they left on a black Chevrolet with the CQX673 registration numbers.
PS 281 Bacioi. Two citizens, who presented themselves as journalists from a TV channel, came to the polling station. The cameraman was allowed to enter on the basis of his accreditation, the second person presented only the identity card. They witnessed the counting process.
PS 312 Ghidighici. During the day, a car with two persons in it was stationed nearby the PS, the police were summoned to find out why they were stationed there, but they said they had nothing to do with the election.

Electioneering or bad PR within and / or near the polling station to determine the voters’ choice – 2 cases
PS 278 Vatra. The Promo-LEX observer was contacted by phone by a woman, who presented herself as a representative of a competitor and urged the observer to vote.
PS 45 Botanica. The observer received a phone call from a person, who presented himself as the representative of a political party and urged him to vote.

Voters’ mobilization activities – 1 case
PS 278 Vatra. The Promo-LEX observer was contacted by phone by a woman, who presented herself as a representative of a competitor and urged him to vote.

Faults in the voters’ lists (address discrepancies, deceased voters, signatures in place of other people) – 10 cases
PS 79 Buiucani. A voter found two foreign people registered at his address.
PS 54 Botanica. A voter presented a copy of the death certificate of a voter included in the basic voters’ lists. EBPS members mentioned this fact in the list and enclosed the copy of the certificate.
PS 54 Botanica. A voter found himself in SIAS Elections, but could not find his name in the basic voters’ lists. The person was enrolled into the supplementary list.
PS 55 Botanica. Two women noticed at their place of residence persons, who had not lived there for 15 years, both have written requests to the CEC to solve this problem.
PS 80 Buiucani. A voter was not found on the basic voters’ lists, but was registered in SIAS Elections system. Following a consultation with the CEC, the voter was introduced in the supplementary list.
PS 213 Riscani. Several voters (a family) identified in the basic voters’ lists a foreign person registered at their home address.
PS 229 Riscani. A voter identified 2 foreign persons registered at his home address in the basic voters’ lists. No objections were filed, but the voter did not want to vote. The president of the PS offered him contact details where he could address to solve the issue.
PS 55 Botanica. A voter, who found out that a person was still registered at his address, said he did not trust the election bodies and no longer wanted to vote.
PS 211 Riscani. A person came to the PS to vote but was not identified in the SIAS Elections system or in the basic voters’ lists. The president called the CEC and was informed that the person did not have a residence permit there. The voter was not allowed to vote, so he filed an appeal.
PS 131 Center. A citizen found in the basic voter lists his wife’s name, who is assigned to vote in another PS, according to her residence visa. The woman asked to vote here, she was allowed, she left a copy of her identity card.

Making pictures of the ballots – 4 cases
PS 100 Buiucani. A voter photographed the ballot, at the request of the president of the EBPS, the picture was deleted.
PS 160 Ciocana. A voter photographed the ballot, the EBPS president saw it but did not get involved, the picture was not deleted.
PS 15 Botanica. A voter photographed the ballot after applying the “Voted” stamp, the police were summoned and the man deleted the picture.
PS 141 Center .A voter photographed the ballot, the EBPS president called the police, the man deleted the pictures.

Cancellation of unused ballots before the closure of the PS – 2 cases
PS 17 Botanica. EBPS members started canceling unused ballots at 20.30. The driver, who is responsible for transporting the ballots to the CEC, also participated in the procedure. At the Promo-LEX observer’s intervention, PS president said that the man is a driver and that he is experienced in such activities.

Others – 2 cases
PS 233 Riscani. After the PS was closed, two people came to the door (representing the PSRM), wanting to enter the PS, but they were denied access. They said they would file an appeal.
PS 219 Riscani. The polling station closed at 21.14 because a woman wanted to vote, noting that she was late because she was at work.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the new local elections on 20 May (3 June) 2018 monitors the second round of elections in the Chisinau constituency through 5 long-term observers (LTOs). On the day of elections, Promo-LEX delegated a short-term observer (STO) to each polling station in the constituency. Observers involved in the monitoring process signed the Promo-LEX Independent National Observatory’s Code of Conduct, undertaking to act in a bold, non-partisan mode. The activity of all the observers is coordinated by the central team of the association.

The activity of the Promo-LEX OM is supported financially by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The opinions expressed in the Promo-LEX public reports belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders.

For further information, please contact:
Axenia Chirilov, Communication Officer of Promo-LEX Association
GSM: 060 16 83 14
E-mail: [email protected]

June 3, 2018

Time: 19.30

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission finds,

Unjustified presence of unauthorized persons in the polling station or within 50 meters of the polling station – 8 cases
PS 144 Center. One of the election contenders visited the polling station, he spent 2 minutes inside, welcoming and shaking hands with all the EBPS members. He wished everyone success and went away.
PS 64 Botanica. Two representatives of an election contender arrived to the PS by car, entered the PS and called one of the observers. They discussed something for about 5 minutes. They then called the president of the PS and discussed for about five minutes. They later left.
PS 205 Riscani. A former election contender spent 5 minutes in the polling station, he spoke to the president of the EBPS, questioning him. The EBPS members did not make any comments.
PS 39 Botanica. Two citizens entered the PS and talked with one of the observers. The president of the EBPS was invited to the discussion, but he refused, asking for details about the citizens that came to the PS. One of them is a member of the party’s central staff. Subsequently, those persons went out with the competitor’s observer. The other competitor’s observer tried to approach them, but was urged not to get involved.
PS 47 Botanica. A competitor’s representative arrived at the PS, spoke with the party observer, tried to speak with the EBPS president, but the latter refused. Later, the politician left.
PS 206 Riscani. A member of a concurring party was present within the PS. He tried to communicate with the president of the EBPS, but the latter said that the politician had no right to be in the PS.
PS 271 Singera. Two representatives of a competitor entered the premises of the PS. They communicated with their party’s observer for 3-4 minutes. The president of the PS reacted and asked them to present themselves and then asked them to leave the PS. The citizens complied with the request.
PS 17 Botanica. A competitor’s representative spent 10 minutes in the polling station, discussing with party observers.

Electioneering or bad PR within and / or near the polling station to determine voters’ choice – 5 cases
PS 1 Botanica. Promo-LEX observer has been informed by a voter about the fact that a competitor’s representatives go from door to door and urge people to vote. They also suggest who to vote for, sharing flyers, or placing them in the mailboxes.
PS 151 Center. The president of the EBPS was summoned by a voter, who said he had been called five times by a competitor’s representative and urged to vote.
PS 300 Stauceni. A voter who previously voted, accompanied another voter and indicated him to vote for a particular candidate, who was first on the list. EBPS members made a reprimand, after which the citizen left.
PS 20 Botanica. Having voted, a voter spent about 10 minutes on the territory within 20 meters of the PS and spoke with a party observer about the election contenders, especially about the weaknesses of one of the contenders.
PS 278 Vatra. Having received a ballot, a voter asked loudly, “Who am I voting for?” to which an EBPS member declared that he had to vote for the contender he wanted to support. The man voted.

Voters’ mobilization activities – 5 cases
PS 47 Botanica. Several voters said they received phone calls and were encouraged to go and vote.
PS 47 Botanica The EBPS members informed the Promo-LEX observer that they were called and urged to vote.
PS 281 Bacioi. The Promo-LEX observer was called and urged to vote.
An election contender urges citizens to vote, through video feeds on social networks.
An election contender posted on his public page a message, urging citizens to vote and do it according to certain criteria.

Acts of violence or intimidation of voters or of other persons – 2 cases
PS 241 Riscani. Two voters (a man and a woman) remained indignant that a person, who had previously rented their apartment, was listed on the voters’ lists and voted. One of them hit the operator’s computer (the other was filming), after they had a conversation with those present in the PS (observers, EBPS members). They spent in the PS  30 minutes. The police were summoned, they came and spoke with voters and watched the video footage from PS cameras. Eventually they left the PS.
PS 42 Botanica. Having registered, a drunk voter approached the EBPS members responsible for the voters’ lists. As his name was written on the last page of the list, the voter claimed he was registered at another address, but it was not cright. A conflict aroused between them, the voter used uncensored words and tried to apply violence. The police intervened.

Faults in the voters’ lists (address discrepancies, deceased voters, signatures instead of others) – 19 cases
PS 302 Stauceni. A voter has recently changed his address, therefore, he was not identified in the basic voters’ lists. Given that the address in his identity card corresponded to the respective PS, the voter was included in the supplementary lists.
PS 155 Center. A voter found that his father, who died in 2003, was on the basic voters’ lists.
PS 54 Botanica. Absence of a voter in the basic voters’ lists and SIAS Elections system, although the data in the ID was valid for the respective polling station. The voter was registered in the supplementary lists.
PS 143 Center. The voter was not found in the basic voters’ lists. SIAS Elections identified the voter is recorded at the polling station in Durlesti, Testemitanu St. The person lives in the city of Chisinau on Testemitanu St., and always voted in this polling station. The citizen never lived in Durlesti. The EBPS president contacted the CEC and the citizen was allowed to vote by being included in the supplementary voters’ lists.
PS 5 Botanica. Based on the basic voters’ lists, a voter found that there were three other persons registered at his address. However, in SIAS Elections system, these people were not registered at the given address. When the voter told the EBPS about the fault, the EBPS members checked the lists and found that there was an error concerning the address of those persons.
PS 54 Botanica. A voter was not found on the basic voters’ lists or in the SIAS Elections system. Since the address in the ID demonstrates that the voter belongs to this polling station, the voter was included in the supplementary lists.
PS 226 Riscani. A voter noticed two dead persons on the voters’ lists.
PS 99 Buiucani. A voter identified that 4 foreign persons, who have probably lived there previously, are registered in his newly acquired apartment. The president of the EBPS suggested the voter to go to the Public Services Agency to solve the problem.
PS 88 Buiucani. A voter noticed a few people registered at his home address, he began shouting and complained to the president of the EBPS, who explained him that not the EBPS members compiled the voters’ lists. The man was asked to leave, he left the room, then returned with the reporters of a TV station. The president gave an interview explaining the situation.
PS 278 Vatra. A voter, according to the basic voters’ lists, is assigned to this section, but according to SIAS Elections, he has to vote in another PS. The president of the PS, allowed him to vote, after checking his identity card.
PS 233 Riscani. A voter identified 3 people registered at his home address. He states that several years ago (9), he purchased this apartment from these people. The voter filed an appeal.
PS 45 Botanica. A voter found on the voters’ lists, his son, who died in 1999. He had previously been at the passport office to solve this problem, but each time the name of his son appears on the lists.
PS 103 Buiucani. A voter, domiciled at 6 Buiucani St., who lived at this address for many years, has identified on the voters’ lists people registered at 16 Buiucani St. He mentioned that there is no such address.  12 people had a residence visa at that address, of which 1 had already voted.
PS 3 Botanica. A voter identified a foreign person registered at his home address. He had addressed the passport office several times to solve this problem, but for 8 years, each time the person is on the voters’ lists.
PS 102 Buiucani. A voter was not found in SIAS Elections system, although the person is registered in the basic voters’ lists. SIAS Elections system indicates that the voter is assigned to the PS in the Emergency Hospital (the person voted there in the first round because he was hospitalized). EBPS members contacted the CEC and, finally, the person was allowed to vote.
PS 297 Gracesti. The President of the EBPS noticed on the voters’ lists the name of a person, who died many years ago (1963).
PS 302 Stauceni. A voter was not found on the basic voters’ lists or in the SIAS Elections system, but the data of the identity card confirm that the person can vote in this section. The person voted, being included on the supplementary lists.
PS 54 Botanica. A voter was identified by the SIAS Elections, but could not be found on the voters’ lists. The person has recently bought the apartment. The voter was entered into the supplementary list.
PS 54 Botanica. The voter was not found on the basic voters’ lists and was introduced on the supplementary list.

Making pictures of ballots – 12 cases
PS 16 Botanica. A voter photographed the ballot, but after being cautioned, the picture was deleted.
PS 204 Riscani. A voter photographed the ballot after applying the “Voted” stamp. EBPS members did not notice this. The person left, without deleting the picture.
PS 95 Buiucani. A voter photographed the ballot. The president of the EBPS tried to talk to him about deleting the picture, but failed because the voter left the station.
PS 151 Center. A voter photographed the ballot after applying the ” Voted ” stamp. Several observers noted this. The person denied making the photo, he did not want to show the phone. The photo was not deleted.
PS 266 Durlesti. A voter photographed the ballot. Vice-president of the PS observed this moment and requested that the voter in his presence deleted the picture. The photo was deleted.
PS 10 Botanica. A voter photographed the ballot, but at the request of the EBPS president, he deleted the picture.
PS 8 Botanica. A voter filmed how he applied the “Voted” stamp and managed to leave the polling station, even if the president of EBPS tried to stop him.
PS 70 Botanica. A voter photographed the ballot. Being reprimanded by the EBPS president, the voter replied that he had the right to photograph and that the picture was for the report. However, at the president’s insistence, the voter deleted the picture.
PS 230 Riscani. A voter, who was in the voting booth, tried to photograph the ballot. This was noticed by the EBPS members, who canceled the ballot and offered another one. The voter voted.
PS 103 Buiucani. A voter photographed the ballot, a EBPS member approached him and the picture was deleted.
PS 103 Buiucani. A voter photographed the ballot, an EBPS member approached him and the picture was deleted.
PS 98 Buiucani. A voter found that there are two other people registered at his address, who have not been living there for 20 years.

Others
PS 27 Botanica. There was a surveillance camera (installed on the wall) behind the ballot boxes.
PS 213 Riscani. An unknown person appeared in the PS to register 5 requests for voting at the place of residence. This person stated that he was a relative of the persons, in whose name he wanted to file the applications. However, another relative of those people came to the PS and said those persons had been contacted and asked to provide some personal information.
PS 212 Center. A voter (with special needs) was brought to the PS by car. He was unable to enter the polling station. The president decided to take the sheet from the voters’ lists, where the man was registered, a ballot and a mobile ballot box and went outside the PS, where the voter was waiting. Respectively, he voted, and his election was visible.
PS 15 Botanica. A voter signed the list, but refused to apply the stamp on the ballot. As a result, the voter was not allowed to vote.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the new local elections on 20 May (3 June) 2018 monitors the second round of elections in the Chisinau constituency through 5 long-term observers (LTOs). On the day of elections, Promo-LEX delegated a short-term observer (STO) to each polling station in the constituency. Observers involved in the monitoring process signed the Promo-LEX Independent National Observatory’s Code of Conduct, undertaking to act in a bold, non-partisan mode. The activity of all the observers is coordinated by the central team of the association.

The activity of the Promo-LEX OM is supported financially by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The opinions expressed in the Promo-LEX public reports belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders.

For further information, please contact:
Axenia Chirilov, Communication Officer of Promo-LEX Association GSM: 060 16 83 14
E-mail: [email protected]

June 3, 2018

Time: 14:30

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the new local election finds,

Unjustified group voting (2 and more persons in voting booths) – 2 cases
PS 281 Bacioi. Two voters voted simultaneously in the same voting booth. Nobody intervened.
PS 249 Riscani. Two people voted together in the same voting booth. The reason of such voting was the husband’s health problems, which is why the wife’s help was needed.

Unjustified presence of unauthorized persons in the polling station or within 50 meters of the polling station – 6 cases
PS 231 Riscani. A representative of an election contender, who communicated with a party observer, spent about 5-7 minutes within the PS.
PS205 Riscani. A representative of an election contender, one of the party’s central stuff, accompanied by 2 more persons, was in the polling station for 5 minutes, talked to the president of the EBPS and then went to another polling station.
PS 140 Center. A representative of an election contender, one of the party’s central stuff, spent 5 minutes in the PS, during which he discussed with the EBPS members, asking who was the observer from his party.
PS 17 Botanica. A representative of a competitor arrived in the PS and inquired about the election process, after which he left saying he would return. According to the president of the EBPS, it is a representative of one of the party’s leadership.
PS 220 Riscani. Two representatives of an election contender were standing at the entrance to the polling station for more than 20 minutes, discussing with voters.
PS 51 Botanica. An election contender passed by the PS (about 10 meters from the entrance) and greeted voters standing nearby, then left. 

Rumors, attempts or even facts of material or monetary rewards, offered to voters within and / or near the polling station to determine voters’ choice – 1 case
PS 57 Botanica. The Promo-LEX observer heard EBPS members, saying that they heard from a group of voters (living at the same address) that they came to vote for a competitor being paid for it.

Organized transportation of voters (buses, minibuses or other transport units that would normally not be in the vicinity of the PS) – 2 cases
PS 303 Tohatin. A vehicle with registration numbers CIP 414, (it was also noticed in the first round of elections) carried drunkvoters from the village of Cheltuitori to the polling station. The car was twice noticed, it transported 6 people.
PS 57 Botanica. The observer reported the presence of a minibus, presumably Volkswagen, nearby the PS and a group of voters were getting into it. 

Technical deficiencies in the functioning of SIAS Elections System (suspension of operation, situations when SIAS Elections indicates that the voter voted, and he claims he did not vote) – 1 case
PS 262 Durlesti. SIAS elections has not operated for five minutes on one of the computers and 20 minutes on the other computer. A queue of voters has formed. The voters were dissatisfied with the necessity to wait.

Faults in the voters’ lists (address discrepancies, deceased voters, signatures in place of other people) – 12 cases
PS 17 Botanica. A voter has found that deceased people are on the list. The president said it was not their fault but that of the passport office.
PS 70 Botanica. A voter identified a foreign person registered at his home address. As the voter claims, he purchased the dwelling in 2006, the year in which the former owner was excluded from that address.
PS 153 Center. A voter could not find his name on the voters’ lists and in the SIAS system. He was allowed to vote, being included in the supplementary lists.
PS 302 Stauceni. A voter was not included in the basic voters’ lists, while according to the data from his identity card, he is listed in this PS. He mentioned that in the first round of May 20, 2018, his name was present in the SIAS Elections system and on the voters’ lists. The President of the EBPS allowed him to vote by being included in the supplementary lists.
PS 152 Center. A voter identified a foreign person registered at his address.
PS 278 Vatra. Two voters are registered in the SIAS Elections System in another PS, while according to the basic voters’ lists, they belong to this PS.  After checking their identity cards, the president of the EBPS allowed them to vote.
PS 9 Botanica. A voter was not found in the voters’ lists, even if in the previous years, he was there. He was asked to write an application, but he declined the proposal, saying he would call the CEC personally and resolve the problem.
PS 9 Botanica. A couple found out that a deceased person was registered at their address. EBPS members said that it did not depend on them and proposed to write an appeal. They refused and left, but later, they returned and said they had clarified the situation and were convinced that the situation would not be repeated thereafter.
PS 110 Buiucani. A voter was not found in the basic voters’ lists and was included in the supplementary lists.
PS 3 Botanica. A voter identified a foreign person registered at his home address. He mentioned that he had previously been to the Public Services Agency and solved the problem. It should be mentioned that the person is not living there for over 12 years.
PS 54 Botanica. According to SIAS Elections system, a voter was assigned to another polling station. However, following the verification of the address in the ID card, it was found he belonged to the PS 54. As a result, the voter was included in the supplementary voters’ lists.
PS 302 Stauceni. A voter found in the basic voters’ lists a foreign person registered at his / her home address.

Taking pictures of ballots – 4 cases
PS 230 Riscani. A voter photographed the ballot. At the request of the president of the PS, the picture was deleted.
PS 81 Buiucani. A voter photographed the ballot. At the request of PS members, the voter refused to delete the picture. The police were summoned, but the voter refused to delete the picture anyway and wrote an objection on the ground that he did not agree with the fact that he was not allowed to photograph the ballot.
PS 70 Botanica. A voter photographed the ballot. At the request of the EBPS members, the voter deleted the picture.
PS 213 Riscani. A voter photographed the ballot after applying the “Voted” stamp. Subsequently, at the request of the EBPS members, the picture was deleted.

Voting with deficiencies at the presentation of identity documents – 4 cases
PS 54 Botanica. A voter presented a copy of the supplementary sheet of his ID card, claiming he had lost the original sheet. The president of the EBPS allowed him to vote.
PS 217 Riscani. A voter voiced his dissatisfaction with the application of the stamp on the supplementary sheet of his identity card. After voting, he refused to leave the polling station and the police had to intervene.
PS 149 Center. A voter had his ID card damaged (there was a hole in it). The president of the EBPS did not allow him to vote, therefore, the voter filed an appeal.
PS 82 Buiucani. A voter had his name introduced into the SIAS Elections, after which the EBPS members found he did not have the supplementary sheet of the ID. He was not allowed to vote and the EBPS president said he would draft a report stating the incident.

Online campaigning with the promotion of both candidates for the mayoralty – at least 6 news portals

Others
PS 98 Buiucani. A woman came to vote with her 29-year-old daughter, showing signs of mental disability. After exercising her right to vote, the woman insisted on giving her daughter a ballot, too. She had a document of “a person with a special status”. Her name was not found in the basic voters’ lists. EBPS members called the CEC and they were told the woman was not allowed to vote.
PS 248 Riscani. A voter has requested another ballot, claiming that he has wrongly filled out the one previously given to him. The president of the PS refused. The voter wanted to tear the ballot, but the PS president did not allow him to do it, taking the ballot personally and putting it in the ballot box. The voter filed an appeal.
PS 4 Botanica. An unidentified person called the police to the PS without any reason. The police arrived and, after finding that everything was OK within the PS, contacted the president of the EBPS to clarify whether anything had happened. The president confirmed that everything was OK in the PS.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the new local elections on 20 May (3 June) 2018 monitors the second round of elections in the Chisinau constituency through 5 long-term observers (LTOs). On the day of elections, Promo-LEX delegated a short-term observer (STO) to each polling station in the constituency. Observers involved in the monitoring process signed the Promo-LEX Independent National Observatory’s Code of Conduct, undertaking to act in a bold, non-partisan mode. The activity of all the observers is coordinated by the central team of the association.

The activity of the Promo-LEX OM is supported financially by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The opinions expressed in the Promo-LEX public reports belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders.

For further information, please contact:
Axenia Chirilov, Communication Officer of Promo-LEX Association GSM: 060 16 83 14
E-mail: [email protected]

June 3, 2018

Time: 9.30

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the new local elections of 20 May (3 June) 2018 notes,

Presence of advertising materials, posters, election panels within the polling station area (100 meters within the PS) – 2 cases
PS 265 Durlesti. A billboard with posters of both election candidates has been identified within 100 meters of the PS.
PS 256 Codru. An election poster of a competitor has been identified within 20 meters of the PS.

Ballot boxes have not been sealed as provided for by the legal procedures / broken/ damaged / missing seals on ballot boxes – 4 cases
PS 128 Center. The stationary ballot box has been sealed with two seals only. The EBPS has sufficient seals to be applied to all four sides of the ballot box, but they have not been used.
PS 148 Center. There are two stationary ballot boxes with two seals each in the PS, despite the fact that there are a sufficient number of seals to seal all four sides of the ballot boxes.
PS 123 Center. Two stationary ballot boxes in the polling station have 2 seals each.
PS 114 Center. The stationary ballot box has only two seals applied, the explanation of the EBPS being an insufficient number of seals.

Unjustified presence of unauthorized persons in the polling station or within 50 meters of the PS – 2 cases
PS 84 Buiucani. A man claims to be the observer of an election contender, although he has no accreditation card. Upon being reprimanded, the man called the party’s representatives, who advised him to stay in the polling station. The alleged observer was in the PS in absence of an accreditation card at 8:30 in the morning.
PS 220 – Riscani. Two representatives of a political party / electoral contestant came to the polling station and intimidated voters by asking various questions. They initially refused to leave the polling station, but, after the insistent request of the EBPS president, they unwillingly left.  Later, two other members of the same party came to the polling station and exhibited the same behavior.  They left after a few minutes.

Deficiencies in the functioning of SIAS Elections System (suspension of operation/ situations when SIAS Elections indicates that the voter cast his or her vote, while the voter claims he or she did not vote) – 2 cases
PS 108 Buiucani. At the opening of the polling station, the SIAS Elections system did not work for about 12 minutes.
PS 141 Center. Both operators did not have Internet connection in the period between 7:00 and 7:15. After 7:15, only one operator was able to connect.

Faults in the voters’ lists (address discrepancies, deceased voters, forged signatures) – 3 cases
PS 70 Botanica. A voter was not found on the basic voters’ lists. He voted, as he was included in additional lists.
PS 218 Riscani. A voter has been voting for several years on additional lists because he is not included in the basic lists, even though he resides within the area of the polling station.
PS 149 Center. A voter identified two deceased people on the basic voters’ lists. 

Taking pictures of ballots – 1 case
PS 26 Botanica. A voter photographed the ballot after applying the “Voted” stamp. The EBPS president called the police and a record was drawn up. The ballot was canceled. The photo was deleted in the presence of EBPS members.

Lack of clarity in submitting requests for voting at the place of residence – 2 cases
PS 234 Riscani. Two different individuals filed requests for voting at the place of residence for the same person. The EBPS president said he would send both requests to the Constituency Council.
PS 229 Riscani. At 8:20 in the morning, a person, who presented herself as a social assistant, brought 12 requests for voting at the place of residence to the EBPS. The president registered all of the requests. Observers present in the PS did not agree with the president’s decision, but their complaints were not registered.

Others
PS 54 Botanica. A voter came to the PS without the supplementary sheet of his ID. After checking whether the voter had the subsequent right to vote in the PS, the president allowed him to vote in the absence of the supplementary sheet.

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the new local elections on 20 May (3 June) 2018 monitors the second round of elections in the Chisinau constituency through 5 long-term observers (LTOs). On the day of the elections, Promo-LEX delegated a short-term observer (STO) to each polling station in the constituency. Observers involved in the monitoring process signed the Promo-LEX Independent National Observatory’s Code of Conduct, undertaking the responsibility to act in an assertive and non-partisan manner. The activity of all the observers is coordinated by the central team of the association.

The activity of the Promo-LEX OM is supported financially by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The opinions expressed in the Promo-LEX public reports belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders.

For further information, please contact:
Axenia Chirilov,
Communication Officer of Promo-LEX Association
GSM: 060 16 83 14
E-mail: [email protected]

On June 1, 2018, the Promo-LEX Observation Mission made public the fifth monitoring report on the new local elections of 20 May (3 June) 2018. Legal uncertainties related to the beginning of the second round of elections and campaigns for these elections, blocking / unblocking of the “Election Fund” accounts during that period, activities and instruments for electoral promotion, and failure to report expenses incurred for the election campaign are just some of the issues presented in this Report.

Electoral Code does not regulate the election campaign for the second round

CEC’s ruling on setting the date of the second round for mayor’s election in the municipality of Chisinau was adopted on May 23, 2018. Thus, the election campaign would be resumed as soon as the Commission formally established the date of organizing and conducting the second round of elections.

However, the Promo-LEX Observation Mission points out that the Electoral Code does not explicitly regulate the conduct of the election campaign for the second round of elections. For this reason, in several consecutive elections, the election actors faced uncertainties regarding the start of the second round election campaign, as well as the rules of its implementation. We mention that these aspects have been repeatedly highlighted in the Promo-LEX Reports, however, until now, they remain unresolved.

The legal uncertainty with regard to the start of the election campaign is closely related to the issue of ensuring the funding of the election campaign from the “Election Fund” account between the two rounds of voting and refers to the period, during which the account is blocked / unblocked.

Street and online advertising are the most widely used campaigning tools

According to the Promo-LEX Report, at least 76 campaigning activities have been organized over the monitored period: PSRM – 62% and PPPDA – 38%. The most used promotional tools are: the use of stationary tents to inform citizens about candidates – 42%, distribution of election materials – 17% and 14% falls for participation in debates. Contenders have actively used street / promotional / online advertising, with at least 202 cases reported, of which: PSRM – 84% and PPPDA – 16%.

Using administrative resources and offering election gifts

Promo-LEX observers have identified at least one case that can be interpreted as use of administrative resources. This is the case of Andrei Nastase’s meeting (PPPDA) with voters, held within a medical institution during the work program. Also, at least 4 cases can be qualified as offering gifts in the election campaign. In all 4 cases, the PSRM sympathizers are involved by providing playgrounds for children (3 cases) and painting at least one bus stop (1 case).

Failure to report some spending categories is noticed in the second round campaign

Although both election contenders have declared campaign funds totaling 327,000 lei, only the candidate Ion Ceban (PSRM) reported expenses of 322,000 lei, while the funds of the candidate Andrei Nastase (PPPDA) remained unused. The final joint balance of the two candidates is of 5 119 lei.

The major share of expenditures declared by PSRM falls for TV advertising – 153 753 lei, followed by radio advertising – 55 556 lei, expenses for printed press – 47 500 lei, expenses for internet advertising- 35 235 lei, for street panels – 29 856 lei, other expenses – 102 lei (0.032%).

At the same time, the Promo-LEX Observation Mission noticed lack of reporting for such categories of expenditures relevant to the election campaign as: organization of events, rental of premises for campaigning events, use of transportation, use of telecommunication services, volunteers’ work and observers’ work.

None of the election candidates reported expenditures for organizing events, although there were debates or other media events. Also, none of the candidates reported expenditures for delegating observers to polling stations on election day (tour I). The Promo-LEX Observation Mission is worried of the fact that this spending may remain unreported in round II, as well.

According to the Report, the two election contenders failed to fully reflect the expenses, incurred during the 3 days of the second round election campaign. Thus, the estimated amount of unreported expenses for all the election activities is of at least 197 127 lei, including 161 127 lei incurred by Ion Ceban (SPRM) and 36 000 lei by Andrei Nastase (PPDA).

No ballot held without speeches inciting to hatred and discrimination

Promo-LEX Association has registered at least 3 instances of hate and discrimination speeches that target election contenders and at least 2 cases, when competitors have resorted to discourses that incite to hatred and discrimination.

As for the competitors, who have been affected by various forms of intolerance, we identified three candidates (including those who are not in round II) Silvia Radu (former independent candidate), Andrei Nastase (PPPDA) and Ion Ceban (PSRM).

On the other hand, Ion Ceban reiterated that he would limit the fundamental right to freedom of assembly. And PPS sympathizers have been involved in actions that promote discriminatory messages and gender stereotypes.

***

Note: The report covers the monitoring period from 21- 30 May 2018. The finances of the election contenders were monitored for the period 23 – 25 May 2018. The fifth monitoring report on the new local elections of 20 May (3 June) 2018 can be read HERE.

All Promo-LEX Election Observation Mission Reports are available HERE.

***
The New Local Election Observation Mission of  May 20, 2018 is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and co-funded by the Justice and Human Rights Department of the Soros Foundation-Moldova on incitement to hatred and discrimination component.

For further information, please contact:
Axenia Chirilov,
Communication Officer of Promo-LEX Association
GSM: 060 16 83 14
E-mail : [email protected]