Comparative Analysis of the Vote Tabulation Data Provided by Promo-LEX OM and by the Central Electoral Commission
The final results, submitted by Promo-LEX Observation Mission (OM) regarding the number of valid votes cast for each electoral candidate were calculated on the basis of the data from 24 vote tabulation minutes of the PS set up for the new local elections of 19 November 2017, submitted to Promo-LEX OM members and verified manually by the Mission.

Overview of the Results
According to Promo-LEX final results – the elections are valid in 9 constituencies out of 10. In one of them – Lăpușna (Hâncești), the elections may be declared invalid because less than 1/4 of the persons on the voter lists voted. The analysis of the participation rate in the 9 constituencies where the elections may be declared valid showed that the voter turnout represented an average of 47.74%. The voters in Berlinți twp. (Briceni d.) were the most active – 62.74%, while Sângera (Chișinău mun.) had the lowest voter turnout – 35.73%.

In 7 constituencies out of 9, the mayors were elected at the first round of elections. All 7 are representatives of the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM). A second round of the elections will be held in Berlinți and Sângera, with PDM and PSRM (Socialist Party) representatives running for the position of mayor. The elections in Lăpușna are to be declared invalid because of low voter turnout (less than one fourth of the voters). Thus, repeated elections shall be conducted within two weeks, using the same voter lists and with the the same candidates (one PDM candidate) and the same councils and electoral offices.

Accuracy of the Vote Counting Minutes
When monitoring the new local elections, Promo-LEX OM also analysed the accuracy of vote counting minutes. To this end, 24 minutes – given to the Promo-LEX observers by the EOPS chairpersons – were examined.

Promo-LEX OM found that in 23 of the 24 minutes developed at the new local elections the verification formulae were observed. Insignificant errors (2 votes) were found in the minutes of the PS 1/273 from Dobrogea, in the formula h=g1+g2+g3+g4+g5+g6, which raises question marks as to the accuracy of the total number of valid votes cast, including from the perspective of the votes obtained by the competitors.

Also, Promo-LEX OM reiterates the need for EOPS members to fill in the fields in the same way (e.g. filling in all the fields).

A particular situation regarding the content of the vote counting minutes happened in the electoral office of PS 38 from Lăpușna, where the Promo-LEX observer was submitted a minutes template that was different from the other minutes templates used at the new local elections of 19 November 2017.

Contacts:
Emil Gaitur, Promo-LEX Communicator – tel.: +37369172642; email: [email protected]

Axenia Chirilov, Promo-LEX Communicator – tel.: +37360168314; email: [email protected]

Today, 2 November, Promo-LEX Association submitted its first Report on Monitoring the Local Referendum on the Dismissal of Chisinau General Mayor and the New Local Elections of 19 November 2017. Monitoring period: 4 October – 1 November 2017.

As regards the local referendum on the dismissal of Chisinau General Mayor, the first thing found by the Promo-LEX Observation Mission was that the legal framework is underdeveloped. Although the Electoral Code contains a separate chapter on local referenda, Promo-LEX found such gaps as: insufficient regulation of the status of the participant in referendum; restrictive approach on categories of participants in referendum; interpretability of the election campaign concept in the context of referendum; participation of compulsory-duty servicemen, voters holding domicile and residence permit at the same time.

The Chisinau Municipal Electoral Constituency Council (CMECC) registered 2participants in the local referendum of 19 November 2017 – the Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) and the Liberal Party (PL). At the same time, given the aforementioned gaps, Promo-LEX found that CMECC rejected Dorin Chirtoaca’s application to be registered as a participant in the local referendum for the following reasons: the applicant violated the provisions of Article 41 of the Electoral Code (submission of the registration file in person, by the applicant) and failed to comply with the provisions of CEC Decision No 1145 of 3 October 2017 (lack of individuals in the list of potential participants in the local referendum).

As regards the election campaign, Promo-LEX observers found that at least 58 electioneering activities (50 – PSRM, 8 – PL) were organised during the monitoring period. The most used promotion tools were meetings with voters – 29 cases, outdoor/promotional/online advertising in electioneering activity – 86 cases (81 – PSRM, 5 – PL). In addition, there was a care which can be regarded as one where administrative resources were used by a PSRM representative.

Starting from the activities carried out by the participants in referendum, in the first campaign week, PSRM reported revenue amounting to MDL 377,000 and expenses amounting to MDL 374,211.77, whereas PL reported MDL 0 (zero). On the other hand, Promo-LEX observers noted that PSRM carried out additional electioneering activities, estimated at no less than MDL 404,117, including MDL 101,861 for outdoor advertising, MDL 260,550 for promotional advertising, MDL 41,706 for volunteers’ remuneration and other expenses.

At the same time, as regards the local elections of 19 November 2017 in 10 level-one constituencies, Promo-LEX Association found the following:

Constituency Councils registered 29 election candidates, of which 4 were independent candidates, whereas 25 were nominated by 8 political parties, as follows: PDM – 10 candidates, PSRM – 7 candidates, PN – 2 candidates, PPRM – 2 candidates, PCRM – 1 candidate, PL – 1 candidate, PNL – 1 candidate and PPEM – 1 candidate. PDM is the party that nominated its candidates in all constituencies. Most candidates were registered for the position of mayor in Singera t. (Chisinau mun.) – 6 candidates, fewest candidates – Lapusna v. (Hincesti d.) – 1 candidate.

During the monitored period, Promo-LEX noted a low level of activism among the election candidates. According to the information provided by Promo-LEX observers, at least 2 cases of electioneering activities were registered, both of them implied online candidate promotion via social networks (PL and PN). In addition, at least one case, which can be qualified as service provision during election campaign (PL), was reported. All these cases were found in Singera EC.

Promo-LEX OM noted the decrease in the level of financial reporting to CEC and level-one ECC. Thus, of 12 election candidates registered with CEC, only 2 (PDM, PSRM) submitted their financial statements for the first week of election campaign (20-27 October 2017). Only one election candidate (PSRM) reported revenue amounting to MDL 3,000 and expenses of – MDL 2,739.50 respectively, the other candidate reported MDL 0 (zero). On the other hand, none of the candidates submitted their financial statements to the level-one ECC or reports on lack of expenses.

The Monitoring Report No 1 also includes recommendations for the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, electoral bodies, participants in referendum and for the local public administration.

Under the ‘Democracy, Transparency and Accountability’ Program, as part of the civic and electoral education component, Promo-LEX Association organises the ‘COME TO VOTE’ campaign in the settlements where the new local elections will be held. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage people to vote and to promote informed and conscious voting among Moldovan citizens with a right to vote, in the settlements where the new local elections will be held. In the first round of election, public electoral debates will be organised in a few settlements that will be chosen subsequently.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission consists of 5 long-term observers who will monitor the electoral process in all constituencies of the Republic of Moldova during 4 October – 19 November 2017. On the election day, Promo-LEX will delegate a short-term observer to each polling station. The observers involved in the monitoring process sign the Code of Conduct of the Promo-LEX Independent National Observer, assuming the commitment to act efficiently, in good faith and in a non-partisan manner.

The activity carried out by Promo-LEX EOM and the ‘Come to Vote’ campaign is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The opinions presented in the public reports of Promo-LEX belong to authors and do not necessarily reflect the donors’ view.

For more details, please contact: Axenia Chirilov, Communication Officer of Promo-Lex Election Observation Mission: GSM 060168314, e-mail: [email protected]

From 14 April to 11 May 2017, Promo-LEX carried out an election observation mission for the new local elections of 14 May 2017. The mission covered 7 settlements where mayors are to be elected: Mereni v. (Anenii Noi d.), Hirova v. (Calarasi d.), Pervomaisc twp. (Causeni d.), Tipala township and Ulmu v. (Ialoveni d.), Racovat v. (Soroca d.), Tvardita t. (Taraclia d.). Today – 12 May, the Report No 1 of the election observation mission for the new local elections of 14 May 2017 was published.

ECC I registered 26 election candidates, of which 2 are independent candidates, whereas 24 were nominated by 7 political parties:PSRM – 6, PDM – 6, PCRM – 4, PN – 3, PL – 2, PPPDA – 2 and PAS – 1.

The team of observers found that in terms of organization of elections, the situation is not very good when it comes to the observance by the ECC I and EOPS members of the work schedule. As for ECC I, considering all 21 visits – 7 times (33.3% of cases) Promo-LEX observers found that the councils were not working during opening hours. As for EOPS, considering all 28 visits – 13 times (46.4% of cases) Promo-LEX observers found that the offices were not working during opening hours. The observation mission also found gaps in the content of the lists of voters.

Promo-LEX observers found that there were candidates who used administrative resources during the monitored period at least in 2 cases. In one of them, it was the PSRM candidate in the village of Pervomaisc (Causeni d.), while in the other – the independent candidate to the position of mayor in Tvardita (Taraclia d.). The administrative resources were used by attracting civil servants in electioneering during working hours, as well as by involving hierarchically higher representaties of public authorities in promotion activities during their working hours.

According to the information provided by Promo-LEX observers – at least 3 cases that can be qualified as goods and services given under the election campaigns were registered during the monitored period. The following candidates are concerned: PSRM – 1 case; PDM – 1 case; PCRM – 1 case.

According to the estimations of Promo-LEX OM with regards to the period between 14 April-5 May 2017 – at least 6 election candidates (PSRM, PCRM, PDM, PL, PPPDA, Tuni Corneliu IC) used campaign funds that they did not fully report. The total amount of unreported expenses goes up to MDL 24 859.

At the same time, from 6 to 9 May, Promo-LEX conducted the ‘Ieși la VOT!’ (‘Come and Vote!’) campaign in the 7 settlements in order to mobilize in an apolitical manner the  citizens who have the right to vote and to promote informed and conscious voting. Also, public electoral debates – that candidates and voters participated in – were organized in 2 settlement.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission consists of 4 long-term observers and a national coordinator, who will monitor the electoral process in all 7 constituencies. On election day, Promo-LEX will delegate a short-term observer to each polling station. The observers involved in the monitoring process sign the Code of Conduct of the Promo-LEX Independent National Observer, assuming the commitment to act efficiently, in good faith and in a non-partisan manner. The activity carried out by Promo-LEX EOM for the new local elections and the ‘Come to Vote’ campaign are currently funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The opinions presented in the public reports of Promo-LEX belong to authors and do not necessarily reflect the donors’ view.