FINAL REPORT | Observation Mission for the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021

REPORT no. 6 | Observation Mission for the early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 | Election Day

STATEMENT | PARTIALLY FREE AND PARTIALLY FAIR ELECTIONS in an environment marked by hate speech, biased coverage, suspicions of political influence on electoral bodies

Starting from the principles[1] that underpin free and fair elections, set out in international treaties and conventions on civil and political rights and in the Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and

Highlighting that the elections were held in an incomplete legal framework with problematic provisions, which was not improved in line with the recommendations of Constitutional Court, issued in 2016 and 2020, and of the national election observation missions and missions of OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission

Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections states that the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July were competitive, voters had a variety of political alternatives to choose from, there were practically no obstacles or pressures likely to hinder electoral contestants’ free expression of their options and presentation of their offers to voters, including through electoral debates;

Appreciates the good organization of the election day by the Central Electoral Commission and lower-level electoral bodies;

Attests the positive impact on ensuring equal opportunities for women and men in the Parliament, positive impact of electoral contestants’ compliance with the double gender quota when drawing up the lists of candidates;

Based on the aforementioned principles and starting from the irregularities and deviations noticed by member organizations of the Coalition, both during the campaign and on the election day, the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections appreciates the Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 as partially free and partially fair, due to the following reasons:

The Coalition believes that electoral complaints were reviewed poorly. The Parliament’s failure to adjust the provisions of the Electoral Code concerning electoral complaints to the Administrative Code led to misunderstanding of institutions’ competence and applicable procedure. As a result, stakeholders of the electoral process were restricted in their right to contest their opponents’ actions and deprived of the right to an effective appeal. Delays in the examination of electoral disputes, particularly regarding the establishment of polling stations for voters from abroad and from the left bank of the Nistru river generated risks for the integrity of the electoral process and compliance with the principle of legal certainty.

The Coalition notes with concern the non-transparent and unpredictable process of establishing polling stations abroad, characterized by reasonable doubts of political influence. Contrary to good practices of the previous elections, CEC did not use any methodology for applying the three criteria set out in Article 31 of the Electoral Code when establishing polling stations abroad. CEC’s initial decision of 5 June 2021 ignored increased figures for two criteria – the voter turnout during previous elections and preliminary registration. Authorities responsible for establishing polling stations abroad demonstrated poor inter-institutional communication, which was also noted by courts. Late establishment of polling stations abroad, only 18 days before voting, contrary to the legal deadline of a minimum of 35 days, did not allow to effectively inform voters abroad on the location of the new polling stations.

We also note that process of setting up polling stations for voters from the left bank of Nistru river lacked transparency, raising concerns about political interference in the CEC activity. The initially adopted decision to open 44 polling stations^[2], including 3 polling stations within the area not controlled by the constitutional authorities, disregarded the risks to the voting process security and integrity. Although the 3 polling stations^[3] were later withdrawn, the criteria for opening polling stations for voters from localities on the left bank of Nistru river were arbitrarily instrumentalized by CEC without a clear methodology. The lack of access to information and the ban on campaigning on the left bank of the Nistru river imposed by the separatist authorities from Tiraspol did not allow for free information of voters about the electoral process and the programs of electoral contenders.

The Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 were marked by multiple cases of use of administrative resources (at least 291 cases^[4]) by some electoral contenders, thus affecting the equality of opportunities during elections. Most of them refer to the involvement of civil servants in the election campaign during working hours and taking credits for works/services implemented from public money. Without a clear legal definition of administrative resources and appropriate sanctions for their use, this issue remains unsolved^[5]. Proposals to amend the Electoral Code in this respect were introduced in the draft Law No 263 of 19 June 2020, which was approved by the Parliament only in the first reading.

Reporting of election contenders’ expenditures to CEC remains problematic and is often incomplete or lacks entirely. According to Promo-LEX estimations, electoral contenders did not report expenditures of at least MDL 10,859,900^[6].

The Coalition noticed with concern the dynamics of the use of hate speech during the electoral campaign, generated by several electoral contenders against political opponents and President Maia Sandu, which increased significantly as the elections were approaching. Promo-LEX observers identified at least 132 cases of hate speech and incitement to discrimination in the public space, in the media and online environment in the Republic of Moldova^[7]. The authorities failed to develop legal solutions and relevant mechanisms to prevent, combat and sanction this phenomenon, and the Parliament failed to approve draft Law No 301/2016 regulating prejudice-motivated crimes in the final reading.

The Coalition found that the media, with some exceptions, had a biased behavior, covered the electoral contenders in an unfair manner and did not provide comprehensive information to the public about the electoral process and voting methods.

Monitoring of audiovisual media services revealed a disproportionate presentation of the electoral contenders, particularly between the Electoral bloc of Communists and Socialists (BECS) and other candidates. BECS was the most visible electoral contender, being extensively promoted by two television broadcasters (NTV Moldova and Primul in Moldova) out of 10 broadcasters monitored by CALC and favored through the time allotted to appearances, by three others (Moldova 1, Prime TV and Publika TV). Three television broadcasters had an unbalanced editorial policy favoring PP ȘOR, while TV6, RTR Moldova and Prime TV allocated more space to the representatives of this party. Another three television broadcasters (Pro TV, TV8 and Jurnal TV) covered the election campaign relatively equally, with the exception of the last week of the campaign when BECS was disadvantaged.

The Broadcasting Council, the broadcasting regulator, did not exercise its supervisory and control duties with the utmost diligence and good faith and did not take prompt decisions to ensure fair and equitable coverage of candidates by all audiovisual media services providers. BC released only one monitoring report during the election campaign, which revealed deviations from the law by several broadcasters, but imposed sanctions in only one case, other television broadcasters were ignored. The lack of promptness and efficiency of this institution did not contribute to ensuring free and fair elections.

Biased, selective and unbalanced coverage of the election campaign was even more pronounced in the online media. The results of the monitoring of ten news portals indicate that BECS was the electoral contender most often displayed within a positive context, while PAS was most often displayed within a negative context. Only two of the portals monitored (Agora.md and Newsmaker.md) had, in general, a balanced editorial policy in relation to the political stakeholders. Actualitati.md and Kp.md portals demonstrated obvious political partisanship in favor of BECS, and Timpul.md – in favor of AUR. These online publications totally disregarded the rules of journalistic ethics, publishing tendentious articles that discredit politicians and electoral contenders, making speculations and insinuations without presenting the response of people concerned. Four portals (Noi.md, Sputnik.md, Unimedia.info, Gagauzinfo.md) had an editorial policy which supported, to a greater or lesser extent, the electoral contender BECS, and Realitatea.md supported PAS. It was found that some portals published articles with hidden advertising, i.e. not properly marked.

The large number and diversity of electoral incidents noted on election day is a particular concern with regards to these elections. By 10:30 p.m., Promo-LEX observers reported 459 incidents^[8], including: rumors, attempts or even cases of in-kind or cash rewards offered to voters (15 cases), violation of the secrecy of voting (89 cases), electioneering or negative PR in the polling station (28 cases), irregularities in the electoral rolls but also in the operation of Elections SAIS (57 cases) etc.

Although it is a long-standing problem for the electoral process in the Republic of Moldova, organized transportation of voters was not regulated by the Parliament so far. During the electoral period, CALC submitted two applications to CEC, requesting to adopt a decision for the Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 that would prevent organized transportation of voters on the election day^[9]. Contrary to the good practice established previously, CEC did not adopt such a decision. As a result, Promo-LEX observers reported 29 cases of organized transportation of voters. According to the observers’ reports and media sources actively covering the election day, a clear connection emerges between cases of transportation of voters and allegations of buying votes.

The Coalition notes the persistence of discrimination against people with special needs, who continue to face barriers to physical and information accessibility. More 70% of polling stations were not accessible for the people with locomotor disabilities, the number of accessible polling stations being less than 1%. Except two electoral contestants who published their electoral manifestos in Braille, the other electoral contestants did not develop and disseminate materials and formats accessible to people with special needs. Only the CEC and CICDE developed and broadcast video spots with translation into sign language. At least three TV broadcasters – PRO TV, TVR and Moldova 1- provided sign language interpretation of the electoral debates.

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www.alegeliber.md – The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections is a permanent, voluntary entity, comprised of 36 civil society organizations from the Republic of Moldova, whose aim is to contribute to the development of democracy in Moldova, through advocacy and implementation of free and fair elections according to the standards of ODIHR (OSCE), the European Council and its specialized affiliated institutions.

[1] Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE of 29 June 1990, to which the Republic of Moldova acceded on 10 December 1991.

^[2] https://a.cec.md/ro/cu-privire-la-organizarea-sectiilor-de-votare-pentru-alegatorii-din-2751_99578.html

^[3] https://a.cec.md/ro/pentru-modificarea-anexei-la-hotararea-comisiei-electorale-centrale-nr-4965-2751_99658.html

^[4] See cumulative data from the Reports No 2–5 of Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021. https://promolex.md/category/alegeri/parlamentare/anticipate-2021/?lang=ro

^[5] Draft Law No 263 of 19 June 2020 was passed by the Parliament only in first reading.

^[6] It refers to the electoral period until 2 July 2021.

^[7] During 11 May – 5 June 2021.

^[8] The number of incidents on the day of the parliamentary elections decreased insignificantly compared to presidential elections of autumn 2020 (Round I by (-22) and Round II by (-40) incidents).

Findings of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission in the context of monitoring the early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 and the quick vote counting based on data collected in 600 sampled polling stations

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission presents the information on the incidents reported on the election day by the 881 short-term observers (STOs)[1] who monitored the electoral process in polling stations both in the country and abroad. Thus, the main findings on the opening and closing of the polling stations (PSs), voting during the election day, the statistics of incidents reported by observers, as well as an analysis of the results of the quick vote counting by the Promo-LEX OM are presented.

During the election day, by 10.30 p.m., the Promo-LEX Observation Mission had received 538 reports from STOs, 459 of which were qualified as incidents by the analytical team. The number of incidents on the day of the parliamentary elections decreased insignificantly compared to the presidential election of autumn 2020, (Round I by (-22) and Round II by (-40) incidents).

During the election day, in the observed polling stations, the voting process was generally organised efficiently. At the same time, the video taping of elections was not continuous, and the Elections SAIS sporadically malfunctioned. Observers also reported particular cases of electioneering.

The suspicions around the offering of cash rewards and organised voter transportation were particularly in connection with the electoral process in the transnistrian region. The vote secrecy was affected by the high incidence of pictures being taken of the stamped ballot papers. The observation process encountered isolated situations of Promo-LEX observers intimidation by electoral officials. The vote counting was generally done quickly and calmly.

You can see more details about the recorded incidents in the presentation below.

The results of the quick vote counting for the early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021, carried out by Promo-LEX OM based on the protocols collected from 600 polling stations included in the sample, confirm the preliminary results established by CEC, falling within the +-1.6% margin of error of the sample.

This press release was prepared as part of the Election Observation Mission for the early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021, conducted by Promo-LEX Association with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the ‘Democracy, Transparency and Responsibility’ Program, of the Council of Europe through ‘Support for civic observation of the 2021 Early Parliamentary Elections in the polling stations set up abroad’ Project, as well as of the Netherlands Embassy Office in Chisinau through ‘Support for informing citizens and civic observation of the 2021 Early Parliamentary Elections in the polling stations set up for voters from the transnistrian region’.

The opinions expressed in the public reports and press releases of the Promo-LEX OM belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of our donors or partners. The content of this document may be subject to editorial review.

If there are any discrepancies between the text in Romanian language and its translation in another language, the provisions set in the Romanian version prevail.

For more information, please contact:
Inga Stegarescu, Press Officer of Promo-LEX Association
GSM: 069 26 96 84;
E-mail: [email protected]

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[1] 600 static STOs + 160 STO mobile teams + 41 STOs in the PSs for voters in the transnistrian region + 80 static STOs seconded abroad

Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021: Latest details on the conduct of the election

11 July 2021
Time: 10:00 p.m.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 informs that as of 10:30 p.m. the Mission had received 538 incident reports from observers, Promo-LEX analytical team processed 459 reports, and this press release contains information on 62 incidents.

Last details on the conduct of election:

Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 finds,

Rumours, attempts or even situations of in-kind or cash rewards offered to voters within the area of 100 m from the polling station in order to influence them – 2 cases

PS 15/014 Dubasari, Ustia. A voter reproached the observer representing an electoral contender about rumours regarding the cash rewards from two electoral contenders (EUR 25 per vote). They started to quarrel. PEB chairperson intervened to calm things down.
PS 18/022 Floresti, Cuhurestii de Sus. A voter provided the observer video evidence about a woman with a notepad where she had names written down, claiming that it was a list of people who received cash rewards. The man said that the respective woman was at a distance of 60 m from the polling station and she was paying the voters who voted for a specific electoral contender. Police and PEB chairperson intervened; they talked to the man, but were not able to find the woman in question.

Organised voter transportation (by buses, passenger vans or other vehicles that wouldn’t normally be around) – 1 cases.

Cocieri, Transnistrian region. At 06:15 p.m., a Promo-LEX observer noticed a group of vehicles (at least 8 cars) that were repeatedly transporting voters to the PS 37/15, four voters each turn. The vehicles were in the vicinity of the hydroelectric power station and around 30 people were present there. Voters were promised to get 300 roubles each.

Interruption of the video recording of the electoral procedures during the election day – 5 cases.

PS 1/245, Chisinau, Riscani. The voting process had not been filmed for about two hours. After this situation was noticed and the equipment was checked, the recording was resumed.
PS 30/11 Straseni, Capriana. At 06:18 p.m., the observer noticed that the camera is switched off and is not directed towards the ballot box. PEB chairperson commented that the camera had been recording until 09:00 a.m. and then it was switched off and that it would be turned back on at 09:00 p.m. for the vote counting stage.
PS 7/005 Cahul, Cahul. After the PS closed, PEB chairperson switched off the camera. When asked why he did so, he explained that he was instructed to proceed that way.
PS 24/001, Ocnita, Ocnita. Camera does not work during vote tabulation.
PS 25/002 Orhei, Orhei. The camera has not been repaired since the morning. A man was invited to fix the camera, but he could not. The camera was out of service during the vote tabulation.

Electioneering or negative PR within the 100 m perimeter and/or inside the polling station to influence the choice of voters – 1 case.

PS 4/037 Anenii Noi, Tintareni. After casting her vote, a voter started electioneering in favour of a contender within the PS. The PEB chairperson asked the person to leave the PS. The voter called her curse words and left the PS. She continued electioneering outside the PS. The observers told the STO that this voter had the same behaviour, disrupting the public order at all elections.

Unjustified termination/suspension of voting at the polling station – 1 case.

PS 30/11 Straseni, Capriana. At 6:18 p.m., the PEB Chairperson announced a disinfection of the PS premises and suspended the voting process for 10 minutes. During the disinfection, the PEB Chairperson and janitors were inside the PS.

Acts of violence or bullying against voters or other persons — 2 cases.

PS 38/46. At 05:22 p.m., one voter was very aggressive. She tried by herself to apply the stamp in the passport and tore the ballot paper.
PS 38/58 Ireland, Dublin. The PEB member from a certain party showed an aggressive behaviour, trying to find out who voters had voted for. He had verbal altercations with the voters. He intimidated the Promo-LEX observer by using impertinent questions.

Deficiencies in the electoral rolls (gaps between addresses; deceased voters; signatures instead of other people) – 5 cases.

PS 1/10 Chisinau, Botanica. Two voters were not found in the electoral rolls. This was due to the fact that the building they lived in changed its address. The voters cast their vote based on additional rolls. One of them, dressed up in a red T-shirt, declared that a particular contender would solve all the problems.
PS 1/215, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter was not found in the electoral rolls (ap. no. 59). The problem has persisted during several consecutive elections: apartments 58, 60 and 61 are included in the electoral roll, but his apartment is missing. The PEB Chairperson called to CEC, where he was informed that the voter has to contact the PSA.
PS 1/206, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter identified a deceased relative included in the electoral rolls.
PS 1/61, Chisinau, Botanica. A voter identified a deceased relative included in the electoral rolls.
PS 1/191, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter identified in the electoral rolls a stranger who was registered at his address.

Deficient operation of SAIS “Elections” (suspended functionalities; situations when SAIS “Elections” states that the voted had voted, but the latter claims he had not) – 4 cases.

PS 1/242, Chisinau, Riscani. Elections SAIS was out of service for approximately 15 minutes because of missing internet connection.
PS 1/79, Chisinau, Buiucani. One voter was included in Elections SAIS as having already voted, but there was no ‘Voted’ stamp applied in his loose leaf. The voter was not allowed to vote.
PS 38/37 France, Paris. At 05:42 p.m., Elections SAIS indicated that the person had voted, while the voter denied that.
PS 18/ 64 Floresti, Tirgul Vertiujeni. At 07:10 p.m., one voter submitted his ID card with the residence in Tirgul-Vertiujeni. Elections SAIS indicated that he was included in the electoral roll of Vertiujeni. The PEB Chairperson allowed him to vote, including him in the additional rolls.

Unjustified presence of unauthorised people inside or within 100 m from the polling station – 1 case.

PS 7/063 Cahul, Zirnesti. A contender’s observer talked for 2 minutes inside the PS with 2 unknown persons. After having been warned about their unjustified presence inside the PS by the PEB chairperson, they exhibited aggressive behaviour. After 2 minutes, they left the PS.

Presence of advertising materials, electoral billboards and posters in the vicinity of the polling station (within the area of 100 m from the PS) – 2 cases.

PS 37/040 Causeni, Causeni. Within 97-98 meters from the PS there is an electoral billboard with A3 posters in support of a contender. The PEB chairperson and the observer measured the distance from the billboard to the polling station, but no action was taken.
PS 7/41, Cahul, Giurgiulesti. Within the area of 50–60 metres from the polling station there are A3 leaflets of electoral contenders on the information board. The chairperson said they tried to remove them of the board but failed to do so.

Taking pictures of the ballot papers, other violations of the secret ballot (submission of ID card on the basis of which the voter had already voted, inappropriate laying out of booths because of which one could see who other voters cast their vote for) – 16 cases.

PS 11/002 Cimislia, Cimislia. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The picture was deleted after PEB Chairperson intervened.
PS 10/001 Causeni, Causeni. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper and made the picture public. PEB chairperson talked with this voter and he left the PS.
PS 11/010 Cimislia, Cimislia. A voter showed the ballot paper to other voters. PEB Chairperson intervened and voter put the ballot paper into the ballot box.
PS 11/002 Cimislia, Cimislia. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The picture was deleted from device after PEB Chairperson intervened.
PS 7/012 Cahul, Cahul. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. He was spotted and ordered to delete the photo. The voter agreed and left the PS.
PS 1/200, Chisinau, Riscani. One voter tried to take a picture of the ballot paper. After the intervention of the PEB members, his attempt failed.
PS 1/233, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. The picture was deleted after the intervention of the PEB chairperson.
PS 32/10 Stefan Voda, Ciuburciu. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. When the Promo-LEX observer warned him, he said that he took a picture of his ballot paper so that ‘someone would not jerk him around’. Not a single PEB member reacted in any way whatsoever.
PS 25/056, Orhei, Peresecina. At 7:43 p.m., a girl took picture of the ballot paper. Although the Promo-LEX observer warned her, she neglected him and did not delete the photo. Not a single PEB member reacted in any way.
PS 35/007, Ungheni, Ungheni. At 8:14 p.m. a person took a picture of the ballot paper. This person was asked to delete the picture, but refused to do so.
PS 38/46 Germany, Berlin. At 4:06 p.m. one voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
PS 38/5, Belgium, Bruxelles. At 6:57 p.m. one voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
PS 38/5, Belgium, Bruxelles. At 7:23 p.m. one voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
PS 10/007 Causeni, Causeni. A voter took a photo of the ballot. When the STO asked to delete the photo, initially outraged the voter denied doing so.
PS 38/4 Belgium, Brussels. At 8.49 p.m. a voter took a picture of his ballot paper, he claimed he did not know it was illegal, deleted the picture and apologized.
PS 38/5 Belgium, Brussels. At 9.03 p.m. a voter took a picture of his ballot paper.

Unjustified group voting (two or more voters) – 6 cases.

PS 34/003, Telenesti, Telenesti. At 8.22 p.m., while in PS, a person asked those around for help to tell him where to find a certain contender in the ballot paper, another voter from the next voting booth approached and helped him find the necessary party and applied the stamp instead of the person who asked for help.
PS 1/201, Chisinau, Riscani. Two people entered in the voting booth. The lady voted first then approached the gentleman’s booth and gave him some clues. The PEB chairperson did not take note of the violation and did not step in.
PS 36/012 ATUG, Comrat. At 6 p.m. a person entered in the PS, talking loudly on the phone and asking the interlocutor for whom to vote. The person was warned to hide the phone.
PS 38/46 Germany, Berlin. The members of a family were discussing the voting options and were showing each other what they should vote before entering the voting booth.
PS 38/4 Belgium, Brussels. A voter while in the voting booth, called to ask someone whom to vote. He was asked to hung up the phone, but the voter said he did not know whom to vote and needed help. After verbal exchanges with a member of the electoral bureau, the voter said it was a joke and showed his phone to prove that he did not have a recent call.
PS 38/46 Germany, Berlin. A group of voters was discussing in the voting booth where to apply the stamp. PEB members did not react.

Cancellation of ballots papers before the term – 4 cases.

PS 32/030 Stefan Voda, Talmaza. At 6 p.m. the PEB chairperson approached an observer with the proposal to cancel all unused ballot papers. The observer said it was too early to do that. After the PEB members went to a separate room and found out they had 1500 ballot papers, they started to stamp and cancel them.
PS 1/209, Chisinau, Riscani. The PEB members started to cancel the unused ballot papers before the closure of the PS, at 8:50 p.m.
PS 1/233, Chisinau, Riscani. The PEB chairperson allowed the observers nominated by the contenders to engage in the cancellation of ballot papers.
PS 38/147 Turkey, Istanbul. At 8:58 p.m. the member of the electoral bureau started to count the unused ballot papers before the polling station closed. When we saw that, she was already counting the unused ballot papers and said that she had counted 500 already; the ballot papers were counted in the office of the chairperson with no video recording.

Closure of PS after 9:00 p.m. – 3 cases.

PS 1/114, Chisinau, Center. The PS was closed at 9:05 p.m. because there were 5 more voters who asked the ballot papers. The PEB members allowed them to vote.
PS 38/119 Romania, Cluj-Napoca. The polling station was closed at 9:05 p.m.
PS 7/010 Cahul, Cahul. A voter came at 9:05 p.m. and the PEB members allowed him to vote.

Vote counting issues – 1 case.

PS 32/10 Stefan Voda, A stranger entered during the vote counting at 9:52 p.m. and distracted the staff from counting. He said he came to vote, but he was asked to leave the room.
PS 38/147 Turkey, Istanbul. The vote counting started but the chairperson did not store the stamps that were used in a safe place. While they were counting the ballots, the stamp ‘voted’ was in the voting booth, right behind the PEB members who were counting the votes.

Electricity outages – 1 cases

PS 9/006 Calarasi, Calarasi. The electricity in the PS went out for the third time for 10 minutes. The voting process was not stopped.

Ballot boxes were not sealed according to the legal procedures/tearing/damage or absence of seals on ballot boxes — 1 cases.

PS 18/ 70 Floresti, Vertijeni. At 6:10 p.m. the observer found that the mobile ballot box was sealed incorrectly (one seal), which does not prevent opening the box. The PEB chairperson commented that the ballot box was sealed according to the rules.

Other – 5 cases.

PS 18/64 Floresti, Vertiujeni. The observer found that the sign with the number of the polling station is missing at the entrance to the PS. The observer notified the PEB chairperson, following which, on the entrance door an A4 sheet was glued on indicating the PS number.
PS 38/78 Mestre, Italy. At 6:56 p.m. there was a multiple voting attempt. A voter tried to vote repeatedly after having voted at another polling station.
PS 38/121, Romania, Craiova. A contender’s representative with advisory voting rights assisted in the vote counting.
PS 1/215, Chisinau, Riscani. During the vote counting, PEB Chairperson was in a position that blocked the video that was supposed to video tape the process.
PS 37/032 Floresti, Sanatauca. The observer reported that around 9.50 p.m. a conflict started between PEB members and the observers of some contenders. Reason for the conflict: observers believe that only one PEB member may present the ballot papers. The PEB chairperson believes that several members may count the ballot papers.

If there are any discrepancies between the text in Romanian language and its translation in another language, the provisions set in the Romanian version prevail.

For more information, please contact:
Inga Stegarescu, Press Officer of Promo-LEX Association
GSM: 069 26 96 84;
E-mail: [email protected]

Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021: New details on the conduct of election

11 July 2021
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 informs that as of 7:00 p.m. the Mission had received 464 incident reports from observers, Promo-LEX analytical team processed 342 reports, and this press release contains information on 131 incidents.

New details on the conduct of election:

Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 finds,

Rumours, attempts or even situations of in-kind or cash rewards offered to voters within the are of 100 m from the polling station in order to influence them – 3 cases

PS 37/021 Causeni, Hagimus. At 2:45 p.m. there were rumours about cash rewards for voting. The voters cast their votes, but when they got out of the PS, the man who promised to pay them was nowhere to find.
PS No 35/38, Ungheni, Floritoaia Veche. Promo-LEX observer was informed by several sources that there are several representatives of a contender among persons within the polling station, who are electioneering. The Promo-LEX observer went to that group, where local people explained that they were offered cash reward for voting, supporting and staying close to the polling station to encourage other people to vote likewise. The reward was to be offered at the end of the day.
PS 37/25 Cocieri, Transnistrian region. At 04:00 p.m., one voter informed several people that he voted once using his ID card and the loose leaf of his son, and once again using his ID card and his loose leaf. At Dubasari, in area of the hydropower plant, there is a customs post where voters are paid 200 transnistrian rubles for every seal on their loose leaf.

Organised transportation of voters (buses, minibuses or other transport units that, normally, do not have to stay close to the polling stations) – 6 cases.

SV 37/25 Cocieri, Dubasari. At 02:30 p.m., a blue Mercedes-Benz minibus, r/n E884PH, carried 8 people. The voters said it was organised by two electoral contenders.
PS 13/001, Donduseni, Donduseni. A silver BMW, r/n KAM520, transported at least 6 voters to PEB. This car was seen twice by Promo-LEX observer, and several other times by other people. Another observer from the PS says that the vehicle transported people in favour of a certain contender.
Ustia, Transnistrian region. Near the Ustia bridge, Criuleni d., at 3.40 p.m. a red Lada, r/n E983AM, transported several times voters from Ustia village. Five persons are transported each time. The driver’s name is ‘Volodea’. A lady said that if they voted for a certain contender, they would get 200 rubles on the Frunze street in Dubasari town.
PS 36/37 Rezina, Transnistrian region. At 05:10 p.m., a grey Volga, r/n P758 AC was noticed 3 times carrying 4-5 voters each time.
PS 37/33 Sanatauca, Transnistrian region. At 03:48 p.m., a black bluish Audi car with the registration number K 341 AK was noticed to transport voters repeatedly, and the same driver seen in the morning. The passengers were talking about having to go to get the money. One of the women who arrived with them did not know who to vote for. Another one told her to vote for a particular electoral contender.
PS 37/37 transnistrian region. At about 05:46 p.m., at circa 50 m from the polling station, the observer identified an Opel minivan with the registration number P975CE, which brought 7-8 people to the PS, then left. This car was seen at least twice.

Interruption of the video taping of the electoral procedures during the election day – 15 cases.

PS 31/21, Soldanesti, Mihuleni. The recording stopped immediately after the opening of the PS, claiming that it would be resumed during the closure of the PS and the counting of votes.
PS 7/51, Cahul, Moscovei. The recording stopped after 3 hours because the battery of the camera went off. After recharging it, the recording was resumed.
PS 1/206, Chisinau, Riscani. At about 12:30 p.m., the recording stopped because of technical deficiencies of the video camera. The PEB members tried to solve the problems, but by 01:00 p.m. the recording was not yet resumed.
PS 37/014 Causeni, Causeni. At 7:00 a.m. the camera was turned on, but it did not work. The Chairperson justified that it recorded only at the opening and closing of the PS and during the counting of votes.
PS 37/033 Floresti, Sanatauca. At 03:10 p.m. the camera turned off. The Chairperson decided to identify why it was not working only when the observer intervened. But he did not solve the problem.
PS 25/064, Orhei, Putintei. The video camera stopped recording given the lack of storage space. The PEB Chairperson required guidance. He was suggested to record that fact in a protocol signed by the PEB members.
PS 25/056, Orhei, Peresecina. At 3:40 p.m., the video camera stopped given that it ran out of storage space, and there was no backup storage available.
PS 7/31, Cahul, Colibasi. The camera works with interruptions. The PEB members noticed that fact. The socket is damaged. It someone touches the wire, the video camera turns off.
PS 18/12, Floresti, Bahrinești. At 02:35 p.m. the observer noticed that the cameras did not work. The PEB Chairperson opened the cameras and found that they did not record, so they called to CEC. They were informed that the camera could record only 6 hours, then it had no more storage. They were told that someone would come to fix the situation.
PS 30/23, Straseni, Lozova. At 03:11p.m. it was found that the video camera was out of order. The PEB chairperson did not react.
PS 28/30, Singerei, Coscodeni. At 07:10 a.m. the camera was turned off. The PEB Chairperson mentioned that CEC required them to record only the process of opening and closing the polling station, given that the camera had not enough storage to record the whole day.
PS 28/7 Alexandreni, Singerei. At 04:30 p.m. the camera is not recording. The PEB members were discussing that the camera is turned on only at the beginning and at the end of the voting process.
PS 11/6 Cimislia, Cimislia. At 04:34 p.m. it was found that the camera had not recorded anything. The PEB chairperson did not react.
PS 1/71, Chisinau, Buiucani. At 05:00 p.m. the camera was not recording. When he was asked, the PEB Chairperson said that they recorded the beginning of the voting process, and it was not necessary to record during the day in order not to disturb the procedure.
PS 37/015 Causeni, Causeni. At 05:39 p.m. it was found that the camera was not recording. The Chairperson said he did not notice that fact and they turned it on.

Electioneering or black PR within the radius of 100 m and/or near the polling station to influence the voters – 11 cases.

PS 30/026 Straseni, Micauti. After voting, about 10 young people switched on the music loudly in their car near the PS disturbing the public order. PEB chairperson asked them to leave the area or they would call the police.
PS 37/010 Anenii Noi, Varnita. Voters in group of 2-3 individuals encouraged out loud other voters to vote a certain contender. The PEB chairperson warned them.
PS 37/010 Anenii Noi, Varnita. At 3:13 p.m. the voters were talking about who to vote for and to apply the stamp near a specific contender. Not a single PEB member reacted in any way.
PS 38/147 Diaspora, Republic of Turkey – Istanbul. A voter showed her ballot paper with the option she chose to the person that came with her. The members of bureau did not notice this because there were many people in the bureau and the place was crowded because there was only one ballot box.
PS 1/191, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter was listening to electoral videos and speeches of electoral contenders in the PS. After the PEB chairperson stepped in, he switched off the phone.
PS 38/73 Italy, Brescia. Individuals who were talking and urging people to vote for a certain electoral contender were noticed near the voting booths.
PS 04/24 Anenii Noi, Gura Bicului. At 1:24 p.m. a person wearing a cap with the logo of a contender entered the PS. He entered the PS, voted and left. He was not warned to take off the cap.
PS 38/33 Russia, Sankt-Petersburg. A voter came to the polling station wearing a t-shirt an a cap with distinctive elements of an electoral contender.
PS 38/73 Italy, Brescia. An observer was sitting next to the ballot box and voting booth respectively and he was speaking out loud and saying denigrating information about a contender.
Social media. In at least two cases the candidates of a contender posted on social media and shared the voting options, urging the citizens to follow their example.
PS 38/147 Turkey, Istanbul. A voter, after voting, said the following ‘They are from _____ , they must go to garbage.’ The PEB members told him he was not allowed to do so within the polling station.

Unjustified termination/suspension of voting at the polling station – 9 cases.

PS 1/11 Chisinau, Botanica. The PEB members suspended the voting process for 5-10 minutes saying that it was necessary to disinfect the PS premises. Those who were in the PS at that time were asked to leave the PS during this period.
PS 1/10, Chisinau, Botanica. The PEB members suspended the voting process for 5-10 minutes saying that it was necessary to disinfect the PS premises. When there were no voters in the PS, those who were in the PS at that time were asked to leave the PS during this period.
PS 01/233 Chisinau, Riscani. Between 1:10 p.m. and 1.40 p.m. the voters waited the reconnection of WI-FI network of Elections SAIS.
PS 1/10, Chisinau, Botanica. The PEB members suspended the voting process for 15 minutes saying that it was necessary to disinfect the PS headquarters.
PS 9/36 Calarasi, Saseni. Starting with 1:23 p.m. and at least until 1:50 p.m. the electricity was off; the voting process was suspended during several minutes. According to voters, in other regions of the settlement the electricity was on. The computers and the camera are connected to the generator, but people vote in the polling station with flashlights.
PS 30/19 Straseni, Ghelauza. The PS was cut off the electricity during 5 minutes (starting with 1:28 p.m.). When the electricity supply was resumed, it was impossible to connect the computer to internet. Voters wait in the PS to vote. PEB members take measures to reconnect the computer to the internet.
PS 13/001, Donduseni, Donduseni. The voting process was suspended between 5:00 p.m. and 5:10 p.m. because Elections SAIS was out of service.
PS 9/006 Calarasi, Calarasi. The voting process was stopped for 10 minutes because of a power failure.
PS 28/054, Singerei, Prepelita. The operation of Elections SAIS was stopped between 5:30 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. The operators restarted several times the software in order to reconnect it. During this time the voting process was stopped and the voters were waiting.

Acts of violence or bullying against voters or other persons — 2 cases.

PS 1/144, Chisinau, Center. A voter crossed with the pen the information about the name and identity data of his son from the electoral rolls, claiming that his son is abroad. The EOPS Chairperson called the police.
PS 38/4 Germany, Berlin. At 1:23 p.m. a voter made a scene in the polling station being bothered by the presence of foreign observers who didn’t speak Romanian. He was allowed to vote and was asked to leave the polling station.

Deficiencies in the electoral rolls (gaps between addresses; deceased voters; signatures instead of other people) – 5 cases.

PS 1/95 Chisinau, Buiucani. A voter identified that a relative who died 10 years ago was included in the electoral rolls.
PS 1/95 Chisinau, Buiucani. Two voters (husband and wife) had their residence within the area of the PS by they were not on the electoral rolls. The PEB chairperson made a telephone call and after that the voters were included in the additional rolls.
PS 36/012 ATUG, Comrat. The names of two people who died were included in the electoral rolls (a man saw the name of his mother who has died recently and a woman identified a relative who was dead). In the case of the man, the police stepped in and issued a protocol regarding the case. In the second case, the PEB chairperson explained to the woman that the mistakes in electoral rolls are caused by the Mayoralty.
PS 1/291, Chisinau, Stauceni. A voter identified in the electoral rolls strangers who were registered at his address (previously they had their residence at this address but not in the present).
PS 1/239, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter identified that a relative who died more than 3 years ago was included in the electoral rolls. The PEB chairperson justified that the relatives were to submit a request in order to correct the rolls two weeks earlier.

Difficulties in the operation of Elections SAIS (suspended operation; situations when Elections SAIS shows that the voter has already voted, but the voter claims he/she didn’t) – 9 cases.

PS 37/034 Floresti, Sanatauca. A voter found that Elections SAIS showed that he had cast the vote, but he had no stamp on the loose leaf of his ID card and his signature was not on the electoral rolls.
PS 22/001, Leova, Leova. The operation of Elections SAIS was stopped between 2:45 p.m. and 2:58 p.m. Five voters voted during this period and their data were later entered in the system.
PS 28/021, Singerei, Chiscareni. The electricity went off between 1:50 p.m. and 2:27 p.m. A computer worked and the process was not interrupted.
PS 27/039 Riscani, Recea. A person was not able to vote because according to Elections SAIS she voted in another settlement. PEB members called to CEC but the situation was not solved. The lady waited, but she left leaving a telephone number in order to come back and vote.
PS 1/10, Chisinau, Botanica. At 2:32 p.m. Elections SAIS was out of service for approximately 8 minutes.
PS 1/135, Chisinau, Center. Starting with 3:25 p.m., Elections SAIS was out of service for 15 minutes due to internet connection. Following the intervention of experts, the connection was restored.
PS 1/61, Chisinau, Botanica. A voter was identified in the main electoral rolls, but not in Elections SAIS. As a result, the voter was allowed to vote.
PS 7/23 Cahul, Brinza. The internet went off at 2:48 p.m. The issue was fixed in 2-3 minutes.
PS 18/14 Floresti, Cernita. At 5:05 p.m. an issue with the internet was identified. The internet connection went on and off during the day, which resulted into malfunctions of ESAIS.

Unjustified presence of unauthorised people inside or within 100 m from the polling station – 7 cases.

PS 16/39, Edinet, Lopatnic. The Edinet district’s President discussed with the Mayor of the Lopatnic village for about 20 minutes within less than 100 meters from the PS.
PS 7/51, Cahul, Moscovei. An individual, who presented himself as representing a contender, was on within the PS without having any identifying documents (accreditation or credentials).
PS 22/043, Leova, Tomaiul Nou. Four individuals dressed in white T-shirts with the inscription ‘Moldova goes to the polls’ or ‘Moldova Votes’, without any credentials or IDs, entered the PS requesting being assigned with somebody to assist them in mobilizing the villagers to vote. The PEB chairperson rejected the request.
PS 11/024, Cimislia, Gura Galbenei. Four strangers dressed in white T-shirts with the inscription ‘Moldova Votes’ entered the PS, took selfies and left.
PS 35/38, Ungheni, Floritoaia Veche. Within 100 meters of the PS, there was a group of unauthorized people.
PS 37/8 Hirbovat, Anenii Noi. Several contender’s representatives talked to the voters for 10-15 minutes, standing 15 meters from the entrance. They also asked how many voters have voted so far.
PS 16/033, Edinet, Goleni. The mayor talked to the voters next to the PS. The STO was verbally harassed by one of these people for taking pictures of them. The PEB chairperson did not react to what happened.

Presence of advertising materials, posters, election billboards within the range of the polling station (100 meters from the PS premises) – 16 cases.

PS 15/5 Dubasari, Cosnita. Electoral posters of several contenders were spotted on an information board within 100 meters from the PS. When informed about this fact, PEB Chairperson said it was a matter of the police.
PS 7/51, Cahul, Moscovei. Electoral posters of two contenders were spotted on the information board at a distance of about 60 meters from the PS. The PEB Chairperson was informed about this and he stepped in to remove them.
PS 1/15, Chisinau, Botanica. Electoral materials in favour of a contender were spotted on poles within circa 20 meters from the PS. The PEB Chairperson was informed about this and he stepped in to remove them.
PS 37/006 Anenii Noi, Gura Bacului. Electoral materials in favour of a contender placed on a pole, approximate size A4, 50 metres away from PS.
PS 15/6 Dubasari, Dorotcaia. Electoral materials of two candidates were noticed within the area of 100 metres form the PS.
PS 1/302, Chisinau, Condrita. A calendar with the electoral message of a contender was placed on the fence in front of the PS, within 25 metres from the polling station. The PEB Chairperson was notified and removed the calendar.
PS 27/37, Rascani, Racaria. A contender’s electoral campaign materials are posted on the building next to the PS, within 30 metres. The size of the electoral material is 1.5-2.0 metres.
PS 9/8 Calarasi, Calarasi. A contender’s electioneering materials of A4 size are placed on the electricity pole next to the PS, within 50 metres from it.
PS 32/16 Stefan Voda, Marianca de Jos. Around 8:50 a.m., 5 metres away from the PS, there was a contender’s newspaper on a table in the waiting room, which practically disappeared in a few minutes.
PS 32/32, Stefan-Voda, Volentiri. A leaflet of a contender was noticed within 100 meters of the polling station.
PS 27/22, Rascani, Galaseni. There are advertising boards of two contenders within 30 metres from the PS.
PS 32/24 Stefan Voda, Rascaieti. Within 100 metres from the polling station, a banner of a contender is located in a voter’s yard.
PS 32/08 Stefan Voda, Carahasani. At 3:31 p.m., the Promo-LEX observer noticed an election poster for two contenders, in front of the PS, within 100 metres. The PEB Chairperson was notified and the materials have been removed.
PS 4/17 Anenii Noi, Ciobanovca. In the yard of the PS there is a pole with advertising posters of a contender.
PS 7/41, Cahul, Giurgiulesti. Within the area of 50–60 metres from the polling station there are A3 leaflets of electoral contenders on the information board. The chairperson said they tried to remove them of the board but failed to do so.
PS 24/006 Ocnita, Otaci. Near the PS there are banners promoting the electoral contenders.

PS 1/104 Chisinau, Buiucani. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. The PEB Chairperson intervened and asked him to delete the picture. As a result, the election official was assaulted and verbally insulted by the voter. The EOPS Chairperson called the police. The picture was deleted in the presence of a police officer.
PS 1/230, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. The PEB Chairperson intervened and asked him to delete the picture.
PS 9/36 Calarasi, Saseni. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. PEB members intervened with a request to delete the photo.
PS 1/91, Chisinau, Buiucani. One voter tried to take a picture of his child with the ballot paper. PEB Chairperson told the voter that the action was a violation and asked the voter to go to the voting booth in order to vote. As the voter did not hurry to the voting booth to vote, the PEB Chairperson had to repeat the request. The voter reacted aggressively, accusing that his right to vote was impeded, asking law enforcement bodies’ representatives to intervene. Both the voter and PEB Chairperson were heard for about 20 minutes. Finally, the voter cast his vote and left the PS.
PS 38/46 Diaspora, Federal Republic of Germany. A voter took a picture of his ballot paper and reacted aggressively to a PEB member’s objection.
PS 01/010 Chisinau, Botanica. At 2.09 p.m. one voter took a picture of the ballot paper. Subsequently, she was warned by PEB member that it was a violation and asked delete the photo.
PS 01/117, Chisinau, Center. A lady entered with her child (aged about 17–18) in the voting booth and took a picture of her ballot paper. The PEB Chairperson asked her to show the phone and delete the picture of the ballot paper.
PS 35/035, Ungheni, Costuleni. A lady took a picture of her ballot paper at 3:26 p.m. The PEB Chairperson noticed it and asked her to delete the picture.
PS 13/027, Donduseni, Taul. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The PEB chairperson was not present.
PS 9/006 Calarasi, Calarasi. Inside PS two voters took pictures of their ballot papers and one of voters video taped his ballot paper. The PEB chairperson warned them, the material was deleted.
PS 1/137, Chisinau, Center. A voter after voting tried to take a picture of his ballot paper. After the intervention of the PEB members, his attempt failed.
PS 1/153, Chisinau, Ciocana. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. The picture was deleted after the intervention of the PEB chairperson.
PS 1/252, Chisinau, Cricova. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. The picture was deleted after the intervention of the PEB chairperson.
PS 1/304 Chisinau, Ghidighici. After voting, two voters took pictures of their ballot papers. They deleted the pictures after the intervention of the PEB chairperson.
PS 1/222, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. After the intervention of the PEB chairperson, the voter stated that this was his right, refusing to comply with the election official’s request.
PS 1/198, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. PEB members did not step in to resolve the situation.
PS 1/136, Chisinau, Center. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. The picture was deleted after the intervention of the PEB chairperson.
PS 1/191, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. The picture was deleted after the intervention of the PEB chairperson.
PS 1/198, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. PEB members did not step in to resolve the situation.
PS 9/29 Calarasi, Peticeni. At 3.50 p.m., at the exit of the polling station, a voter showed the observer the evidence that he took a picture of his ballot paper. Nobody in the polling station has noticed when he took the picture.
PS 38/73 Italy, Brescia. At 3.00 p.m. a picture of a ballot paper was taken.
PS 38/48 Germany, Frankfurt am Main. A voter took a picture of her ballot paper at 3:05 p.m. This was noticed by all observers and PEB members. The voter was warned.
PS 38/73 Italy, Brescia. At 3.18 p.m., 3 voters entered each other’s voting booths showing and checking their ballot papers.
PS 1/198, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. At the request of the PEB chairperson to delete the picture, the voter refused, arguing that the phone is his property.
PS 1/31, Chisinau, Botanica. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. When the PEB chairperson explained that it was a violation of the law and requested the picture to be deleted, the voter refused, arguing that he was unjustifiably accused. As a result, the law enforcement authority was called to remedy the situation.
PS 1/248, Chisinau, Codru. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. The PEB chairperson has requested the intervention of the law enforcement authority. The voter deleted the picture before the police intervention.
PS 24/006 Ocnita, Otaci. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The PEB members did not notice and did not respond to this situation.
PS 38/5 Belgium, Brussels. At 03.31 p.m. a voter, while in the voting booth, took a picture of his ballot paper. A PEB member warned him.
PS 1/192, Chisinau, Riscani. For a short time, a contender’s observer positioned himself in the PS so that he could see inside of a voting booth.

Unjustified group voting (two or more voters) – 8 cases.

PS 32/10 Stefan Voda, Cioburciu. An elderly voter voted twice, once for himself and once for his daughter, arguing that she has disabilities and cannot exercise her right to vote. The PEB chairperson warned these persons.
PS 35/007, Ungheni, Ungheni. At 3.39 p.m., a lady entered in the voting booth of the other voter and pointed twice where to apply the ‘Voted’ stamp. The PEB members warned her verbally.
PS 11/002 Cimislia, Cimislia. A voter entered in the voting booth and called someone. When an observer asked him who he had called, the voter said that he had called his chum to ask for whom to vote as he had forgotten.
PS 9/006 Calarasi, Calarasi. A grandfather with a physical disability entered in a voting booth together with his nephew who showed him clearly and loudly whom to vote for. The PEB chairperson warned them, but they did not respond.
PS 1/198, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter after receiving the ballot paper and heading to the voting booth, called someone to consult whom to vote. The PEB members warned the lady, but she hung up only after she ended the call.
PS 1/86, Chisinau, Buiucani. Two voters entered in the same voting booth. After the PEB chairperson stepped in, they dispersed and voted separately.
PS 1/151, Chisinau, Ciocana. Two elderly persons voted in the same voting booth. PEB members did not step in.
PS 27/003 Riscani, Riscani. A voter entered the same voting booth together with her adult son. When the PEB members raised the issue, she said she did not know whom to vote for and her son will help her.

Failure to observe COVID-19 protection measures – 2 cases.

PS 12/19, Criuleni, Hirtopul Mare. The members and the PEB chairperson do not wear protection masks.
PS 33/30, Taraclia, Vinogradovca. The members and the PEB chairperson do not wear protection masks.

Electricity outages – 3 cases.

PS 9/006 Calarasi, Calarasi. For 10 minutes the electricity in the polling station went out. The PEB chairperson managed to resolve quickly the problem.
PS 8/45, Cantemir, Tiganca. At 2.10 p.m. the electricity in the polling station went out. For 10-15 minutes, Election SAIS did not work. The PEB chairperson looked for a solution, found a modem, and continued the activity.
PS 28/22 Singerei, Chiscareni. Between 2.00 p.m. and 2.27 p.m. the electricity was out, a computer was connected to a backup portable power source, so the electoral process was not stopped.

Ballot boxes were not sealed according to the legal procedures/tearing/damage or absence of seals on ballot boxes — 2 cases.

PS 13/7, Donduseni, Cernoleuca. One of the stationary ballot boxes was sealed with only 3 seals.
PS 01/71, Chisinau, Buiucani. At 4.58 p.m. it was found that stationary ballot boxes were sealed with 2 seals rather than 4. PEB did not react in any way.

Other – 4 cases.

PS 37/015 Causeni, Causeni. Inside the PS the observers of two contenders drink alcohol (wine) together with some of the PEB members.
PS 28/61 Sangerei, Taura Veche. At 1 p.m. it was found that a contender’s observer was drunk. The PEB chairperson asked him to vacate the PS, so he left.
Rascaietii Vechi, Transnistrian region. Between 4.05 p.m. and 4.20 p.m. at the bridge over the Nistru River, Rascaietii Vechi village, veterans of the war on the left bank of Nistru river allowed access only to vehicles passing the first time. There are 2 police teams on the spot.
PS 32/030 Stefan Voda, Talmaza. 18 requests for mobile ballot box voting were submitted, of which, 2 persons came for voting in person. The PEB members (2) and a contender’s observer left with the mobile ballot box, having with them 20 ballot papers, more than it is legally allowed.

If there are any discrepancies between the text in Romanian language and its translation in another language, the provisions set in the Romanian version prevail.

For more information, please contact:
Inga Stegarescu, Press Officer of Promo-LEX Association
GSM: 069 26 96 84;
E-mail: [email protected]

Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021: New details on the conduct of election

11 July 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 informs that as of 2:00 p.m. the Mission had received 340 incident reports from observers, Promo-LEX analytical team processed 266 reports, and this press release contains information on 211 incidents.

New details on the conduct of election:

Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 finds,

Restricted access for observers or obstruction of free observation in the polling station – 3 cases.

PS 38/147 Turkey, Istanbul. At 7:30 a.m. the Promo-LEX observer noticed that ballot papers were kept in the office of the PEB Chairperson. After he left, the observer noticed that the door was locked, but the key was left in the door lock. The observer made a picture, but he was prohibited to make other pictures on the grounds that he was within the premises of the consulate, though in the morning he informed the Chairperson that he would take pictures and was not prohibited to do so.
PS 38/147 Turkey, Istanbul. With regards to observer’s duties, the PEB Chairperson required the Promo-LEX observer not to bother him because he ‘had work to do at the Embassy’. And if he was bothered with more questions, he would call to CEC and make a complaint against the observer. And if there were more questions, these should be addressed in written form.
PS 30/25 Cocieri, Transnistrian region. The driver of a bus transporting voters to the polling stations for the transnistrian region attacked verbally the Promo-LEX observer who followed the bus. While the observer was filming, the driver used uncensored words to shout at him to go away. This bus was noticed previously transporting voters in an organised manner.

Rumors, attempts or even situations of in-kind or cash rewards offered to voters within the are of 100 m from the polling station in order to influence them – 10 cases.

PS 1/95 Chisinau, Buiucani. The observer, staying close to the PS, overheard a phone discussion between one person, who was going to the PS to vote, and another one. The first person explained the interlocutor that he was going to vote given that a candidate was paying 75 EURO for one vote.
PS 37/30 Transnistrian region. At about 9:30–9:45 a.m., six vehicles (minivans and minibuses) were noticed close to the PS (r/n CLK328, r/n TE049AO, r/n E659BA, r/n E539BE, r/n E799BB, r/n P461BT). According to the statements by people getting off those vehicles, they were arranged by a contender who promised them to pay 400-500 MDL.
Transnistrian region. Near the customs post of Dorotcaia village, at 9:30 a.m., an old man asked the Promo-LEX observer ‘are you going to pay me for having voted?’. Then, he left in a hurry.
PS 37/11 Transnistrian region. At 10:10 a.m., one voter mentioned that in the vehicle that he came with, people were paid to vote for a contender.
Cocieri, Transnistrian region. At 10:40 a.m., one voter revolted that no stamp was applied on her ID card loose leaf, hence she was not going to be paid. When the Promo-LEX observer asked her, she answered it was about MDL 400.
PS 37/11, PS 27/12 Transnistrian region. One voter getting off the public transport unit No 7, r/n. 334 MM, which was carrying voters to the PS, informed the Promo-LEX observer that they received 500-600 MDL in order to vote for a particular contender.
Molovata Noua, Transnistrian region: According to Promo-LEX observer, at about 10 a.m., approximately 23 cars were staying in the courtyard, and many others outside, which were coming repeatedly. One voter was talking about payment. She informed the observer that if the stamp was not applied in her ID card, she would not get the money. She was told that if she voted for a certain contender, she would get 400 MDL.
PS 38/30, Russian Federation, Moscow. At 10:20 a.m. a group of voters came to vote. Before entering the PS, they were talking to a person, asking her on which number to apply their ‘Voted’ stamp in ballot paper. After leaving the PS, the STO noted that the respective person offered something to the voters.
PS 4/034, Anenii Noi, Speia. According to the rumors and discussions of people who were to exercise their right to vote, the mayor of the village offers a mug of beer as a reward for every vote for a particular contender. People could get their reward at the mayor’s bar. The observer saw that people who voted went to the bar and received a mug of beer for free. There was also a conversation between two voters, in which one of them told the other one that who voted for a particular contender, received a mug of beer for free. This situation was noted at about 12:00 p.m.
PS 37/035 Floresti, Sanatauca. At 01:00 p.m. two people were talking in the PS courtyard, at a distance of 7-10 m, that they had to be paid 200 MDL for their vote.

Organised transportation of voters (buses, minibuses or other transport units that, normally, do not have to stay close to the polling stations) – 20 cases.

PS 37/27 Transnistrian region, Dorotcaia v. At 8:10 a.m., a blue minibus, r/n E852BC, carried around 7 people. From their discussions at the minibus, it was clear that they were from a particular electoral contender and other voters were to be brought.
Transnistrian region, Criuleni. At least one taxi cab, grey Dacia Logan, was noticed repeatedly, transporting 4–5 people each time.
Transnistrian region. Rascaetii Vechi, Stefan Voda d. At least 25 minibuses and cars WG Passat, WG Sharan with the registration numbers C 528 CO; T 376 KE were noticed to carry voters from the left bank of the Nistru river to the polling stations. According to Promo-LEX observers, each car transported a number of people larger than the number allowed for each transport unit.
PS 37/18 Transnistrian region. At 10:07 a.m., a white Mercedes sprinter, r/n T503HP carried 8-9 people, which exceeded the maximum number allowed.
PS 37/8 Transnistrian region. At 9:30 a.m., a minibus, Mercedes Vitto r/n A773HC, was noticed transporting 7-8 people, exceeding the maximum number allowed.
PS 37/30 Transnistrian region. At about 9:30-9:45 a.m., several minibuses were noticed near the PS. Ford Transit r/n CLK328, Wotsfagen Transit r/n TE049AO, minivan seat E659BA, minivan subaru E539BE , Kia Cares E799BB, minivan seat There were also noticed approximately 60 cars.
PS 37/11 Transnistrian region. At 10:01 a.m., the Promo-LEX observer found that a minibus with a capacity of 7 places, r/n A966EP, brought voters for the second time.
PS 37/33 Sanatauca v., Transnistrian region. An Audi car, r/n K341AK, carried 3 people in order to vote. This car passed the customs 2 times.
PS 37/15 Transnistrian region, Cocieri v. At 10:15 a.m. a white Mercedes bus, r/n E762BM, brought about 35-41 people. People in that bus were talking that the transportation was organised by an electoral contender.
PS 37/15 Transnistrian region, Cocieri v. Near the PS, there are about 40 private cars. According to Promo-LEX observers, the cars were coming repeatedly, carrying 5 passengers each time.
PS 37/8, Harbovat, Anenii Noi, Transnistrian region. The Promo-LEX observer noticed that a grey Chrysler, r/n A281 EM, carried 4 voters at least two times.
PS 37/11, PS 27/12 Transnistrian region. At 10:30 a.m., the organised transportation of voters was noticed by the public bus No 7, r/n T 334 MM. Though it was a public transport unit, all the people getting off were coming to vote.
PS 37/37 Transnistrian region. The Promo-LEX observer found the organised transportation of 7 people with a grey Renault Espace, r/n P 356 CT. The driver said that he was transporting voters regularly at the request of his superiors, avoiding to specify where he worked. (According to informal information, it could be the Metallurgical factory).
PS 37/7 Transnistrian region. At 11:20 a.m., a grey Kia minibus, r/n T5620K, carried voters at least two times, 6 people each time.
Cocieri, Transnistrian region. At 10:35 a.m., according to the Promo-LEX observer, several cars came repeatedly, with 4 people each of them. The Volkswagen Boro E036BC came with voters 2 times, and the driver said that he carried family members.
PS 30/25 Cocieri, Transnistrian region. It was noticed that the dark grey Mercedes E 784 BM carried voters repeatedly (2 times, 4 voters each time). The observer heard the driver talking on the phone, mentioning that for the first ones he got 300, but for the rest he would get 800 because he had to wait for them longer.
PS 37/007 Anenii Noi, Gura Bicului. There are 2 white minibuses that carry voters regularly during the day. People get off the vehicles, vote and then get back in. The same drivers and the same vehicles come at least three times each.
PS 37/ 35 Transnistrian region At 12:56 p.m., the Audi, r/n K963AX was noticed for the second time. For the first time it carried 2 people, for the second one – more than two people.
PS 37/41 Transnistrian region. At 1.03 p.m. the Promo-LEX observer noticed repeatedly a grey Volkswagen Sharan, r/n C458ET. It carried 6 people and stayed for about 10 min. Another blue minivan Volkswagen passat, C938BX brought repeatedly about 6 people each time.
PS 37/41 Transnistrian region. At 1:26 p.m., a silver Fiat, r/n ZJA708TS was noticed to carry 6 people getting off the car, as well as of the trunk. This car organised the transportation of voters for the 3rd time.

Unjustified termination/suspension of voting at the polling station – 3 cases.

PS 37/036, Rezina, Rezina. The voting process was suspended for 10 minutes justifying that they had to ventilate the venue.
PS 28/054, Singerei, Prepelita. As long as the Elections SAIS (10:23 to 10:30 a.m.) was out of service, the voting process was suspended.
PS 28/041, Singerei, Iezarenii Vechi. The electricity had been out between 10:50 and 10:55 a.m. The voters had to wait, as the voting process was suspended.
Restricted access in the polling station for voters not wearing a mask in the context of COVID-19 – 1 case.
PS 32/030 Stefan Voda, Talmaza. Within the PS, they run out of masks. The PEB Chairperson allows some selected people to vote without masks, and sends the others back home, asking them to come back with masks.

Interruption of the video taping of the electoral procedures during the election day – 21 cases.

PS 25/002 Orhei, Orhei. It is necessary to restart the camera every two minutes. PEB chairperson called an expert who was not able to solve the deficiencies.
PS 10/048 Causeni, Ursoaia. At 9:55 a.m., a Promo-Lex observer noted that the camera was not recording. The observer notified the PEB chairperson who said that the battery was running low and was disconnected from the power source.
PS 22/008, Leova, Iargara. At 09:22, the battery of video camera went of and the camera was out of service. When this was noted, the camera was connected to the energy source to be charged.
PS 1/209, Chisinau, Riscani. About at 8:40 a.m., the recording stopped because the battery of the camera went off and was connected to be recharged.
PS 36/16, ATUG, Ceadir-Lunga. The cameras were on when the PS opened. At 08:49, the Promo-LEX observer found that the video cameras went off. The PEB chairperson mentioned the camera was being fixed and that they were waiting for another cameras and that they will ensure the presence of cameras until the vote counting.
PS 13/24, Criuleni, Jevreni. At 9:00 a.m. they found that the video camera worked with interruptions, going out of service at intervals of 10 minutes. The PEB Chairperson reported those deficiencies.
PS 24/001, Ocnita, Ocnita. The video camera, although it was connected, started to record only when the voters started to come in; that is, the camera did not record the moment when they opened the PS and sealed the ballot boxes.
PS 33/003 Taraclia, Taraclia. The video camera did not work between 7:10-7:30 a.m. and 7:40-7:50 a.m. Currently, the camera works with interruptions. PEB chairperson called the experts in order to solve the situation.
PS 25/025 Orhei, Ciocilteni. The camera was switched off after sealing the ballot boxes. At the request of Promo-LEX, the PEB chairperson said that the camera should be switched on only when opening and closing the polling station.
PS 10/013 Causeni, Baimaclia. Between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. the camera didn’t work because it switched off and needed to be restarted. The PEB chairperson called to CEC and reported this situation.
PS 11/014 Cimislia, Albina. At 11:00 a.m. it was found that the camera haven’t been working since morning. During the period when the Promo-LEX observer was in the PS, the camera was not connected.
PS 33/24, Taraclia. The video camera works with deficiencies. The voting process is not recorded. PEB members continue to try to fix the equipment.
PS 11/15 Cimislia, Batir. The camera did not work when the PS opened. When asked about why it id not work, the PEB members switched the camera on.
PS 7/59 Cahul, Tataresti. The video camera was not recording the electoral process. When asked about why it id not work, the PEB members switched the camera on.
PS 18/65, Floresti, Trifanesti. The video camera recorded only during the opening of the PS; after that the camera was switched off.
PS 38/40 France, Paris. At 9:10 a.m. the recording of the electoral process was interrupted.
PS 38/121 Romania, Craiova. At 8:05 a.m. the camera was not recording the electoral process any more.
PS 21/042 Ialoveni, Tipala. The video camera had not worked between 08.00 a.m. and 12.00 a.m. and the problem was solved by the operators.
PS 2/016 Balti, Balti. At 11:54 a.m. a child stumbled across the cable of the video camera and the camera broke down. The PEB Chairperson announced CEC and drafted a protocol.
PS 1/240 Chisinau, Riscani. The video camera ran out of storage memory and there is no other memory card. By 1:00 p.m. the problem was not solved.
PS 1/240 Chisinau, Riscani. Given that the storage memory of the video camera run out, the recording of the voting process was interrupted. PEB members try to solve the situation.

Electioneering or black PR within the area of 100 m and/or near the polling station to influence the voters – 13 cases.

PS 38/46 Germany, Berlin. The observer nominated by a contender was actively involved in organising the flow of voters in the polling station, including by grabbing by hand those who have hard times to get in there.
PS 28/027, Singerei, Copaceni. An individual electioneered within the PS in favour of a contender. The PEB chairperson warned her verbally.
PS 36/019 ATUG, Ceadir-Lunga. A voter remained in the PS to electioneer in favor of a contender saying that people should not vote for ‘men wearing lip sticks’. The PEB Chairperson stepped in and asked him to leave the PS.
PS 37/020, Causeni, Farladeni. After exiting the voting booth, voters go to other booths and tell other voters who to vote for. People were warned by incidents continue to happen.
PS 32/10 Stefan Voda, Ciorbu. An observer nominated by a contender stays outside of the PS counting the voters and talking to them. The PEB chairperson warned him, but he changed his place and continues his activity.
PS 32/23 Stefan Voda, Rascaieti. An observer nominated by a contender talks to voters within the PS about their electoral choices. None of the PEB members stepped in.
PS 32/15 Stefan Voda, Festelita. A voter electioneered in favor of a contender and at the same time denigrated other contenders within the PS. The PEB chairperson stepped in and the voter left the PS continuing to dispute with the observers from other parties. The police stepped in.
PS 31/014 Soldanesti, Cusmirca. A car (beige Lada, VGF 484) had been parked for 15 minutes within 10 meters from the PS; the car was stamped with electoral stickers, A3 format, in favor of a candidate. The driver came to vote in the PS.
PS 37/041 Stefan Voda, Rascaieti. Three people were discussing in the courtyard of the PS about who should people vote for, favoring certain contenders and criticizing others.
PS 28/17, Singerei, Bilicenii Vechi. An observer was wearing a mask with the symbol of a party within the PS. After a while, the observer left the PS and after returned – wearing another mask already.
PS 1/206, Chisinau, Riscani. At 10:08 a.m., a voter came to the PS and after he received the ballot paper asked the other voters from the PS where to apply the stamp. As a result, the voters electioneered by expressing their opinion. When the PEB chairperson intervened, the voter cast his vote and left the PS.
PS 7/27, Cahul, Burlaceni. A voter who was wearing a vest with the logo of a contender came to the PS and cast his vote.
PS 37/031 Dubasari, Ustia. A voter screamed inside the PS ‘I vote for ___’ and he was electioneering in favor of the candidate within the PS. Due to his aggressive and violent behaviour they called the police in order to take him out of the PS.

Acts of violence or bullying against voters or other persons — 7 cases.

PS 8/039, Cantemir, Sadic. At 8:50 a.m., outside the PS there was a conflict between a contender’s observer and a PEB member. Contender’s observer accused the PEB member of throwing a stone at him. The PEB chairperson intervened and settled the situation.
PS 1/138, Chisinau, Centru. A verbal conflict occurred between a voter and the Elections SAIS operator because the voter was dissatisfied that operator spoke and responded to him in Romanian (the voter being a Russian language speaker). Finally, the voter called the law enforcement authorities and wrote a complaint with respect to this issue. The voter left without waiting for law enforcement bodies’ representatives to come. Three police officers came to the PS, took the voter’s complaint and left.
PS 1/35 Chisinau, Botanica. When a contender’s observer entered the PS, he was insulted by an observer of a contender. As a result, a verbal conflict between the two occurred. The conflict was settled after the intervention of the PEB chairperson.
PS 18/38, Floresti, Frumusica. At the entrance of PS there was a verbal conflict between 7 voters waiting in queue, disregarding the social distance (due to the queue formed). PEB chairperson intervened to resolve the situation.
PS 37/11 Transnistrian region. Around 9.30 a.m., two voters were swearing. One of them instigated another to vote for a contender. Police were called. They reacted promptly and the conflict was settled.
PS 38/48, Italy, Mestre. Voters disagreed with the long queues and began to argue, using uncensored and aggressive language.
PS 38/48, Italy, Mestre. Several PEB members, including the chairperson, were insulted at 7.31 a.m. due to the way the voters’ flow was organised.

Deficiencies in the electoral rolls (gaps between addresses; deceased voters; signatures instead of other people) – 14 cases.

PS 11/002 Cimislia, Cimislia. A voter noticed that the main rolls include voters who died some time ago.
PS 1/242, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter noticed deceased people included in the electoral rolls.
PS 1/100 Chisinau, Buiucani. One voter did not appear in the electoral rolls, although according to the data from the identity card the voter should have been assigned to the respective PS. Chairperson of the PS ordered to include the voter in the additional rolls.
PS 1/291, Chisinau, Stauceni. A voter noticed a deceased person included in the electoral rolls.
PS 7/005 Cahul, Cahul. A voter noticed that the electoral rolls include people who have recently died due to COVID.
PS 25/064, Orhei, Putintei. A voter was not included in the electoral roll, despite being domiciled in the locality according to the identity card. The voter was included in the additional rolls.
PS 1/86, Chisinau, Buiucani. One voter did not appear in the electoral rolls, although according to the data from the identity card the voter should have been assigned to the respective PS. PEB chairperson ordered to include the voter in the additional rolls.
PS 1/64 Chisinau, A voter identified a deceased relative included in the electoral rolls.
PS 1/61, Chisinau, Botanica. Two voters were not found in the electoral rolls. As a result, it was ordered to include the voters in the additional rolls.
PS 1/26, Chisinau, Botanica. A voter was not in the electoral rolls. As a result, it was ordered to include this voter in the additional rolls.
PS 1/100 Chisinau, A voter was not found in the main electoral rolls. PEB chairperson ordered to include the voter in the additional rolls.
PS 1/156, Chisinau, Ciocana. A voter signed in the electoral rolls by mistake, instead of another voter. PEB members prepared minutes on the situation described.
PS 36/012 ATUG, Comrat. A voter found his deceased wife in the electoral rolls. When the voter asked for clarification, PEB member suggested that the voter should bring the certificate of death.
PS 1/81, Chisinau, Buiucani. A voter was not found in the main electoral rolls and PEB members informed him that he should get a voting right certificate beforehand. As a result, the voter reacted aggressively, assaulting PEB members with uncensored words. Finally, the voter cast his vote and was included in the additional rolls.

Difficulties in the operation of Elections SAIS (suspended operation; situations when Elections SAIS shows that the voter has already voted, but the voter claims he/she didn’t) – 12 cases.

PS 29/046 Soroca, Racovat. Between 8:05 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., due to the technical deficiencies of the Elections SAIS, the people who voted were included in the paper rolls.
PS 18/002, Floresti, Floresti. Operators did not find one voter in Elections SAIS. PEB chairperson proposed this person to approach PEB members to be searched in the main rolls too, but the voter refused and left.
PS 9/002 Calarasi, Calarasi. Since 8 a.m. and until 9:30 a.m. both computers in the PS did not work constantly, shutting down periodically. PEB chairperson called a responsible person from Moldtelecom. Operators perform the registration manually.
PS 26/012, Rezina, Cuizauca. From 7:30 a.m. until now – 8:47 a.m., both computers do not operate. Experts came but the issue was not solved. Voters cast their votes, they are included in paper rolls.
PS 29/046 Soroca, Holosnita. Due to the power failure within PS during 8:05–8:30 a.m., voters were registered on paper by ESAIS operators.
PS 37/036, Rezina, Rezina. Elections SAIS had not operated for about 10 minutes between 9:30 a.m. and 9:40 a.m., after that the connection was restored.
PS 7/005 Cahul, Cahul. Two voters came to the PS: the first voter, assigned to this polling station according to his ID card loose leaf, was not present in the operators’ database and voted on the additional roll. The second voter has an expired residence visa and was included in the additional roll.
PS 1/222, Chisinau, Riscani. Between 10:25 a.m. and 10:55 a.m., Elections SAIS did not operate. During this period, voters were registered manually, and after the system was restored, they were entered in the database.
PS 38/36 France, Paris. Elections SAIS did not operate between 7:02 a.m. and 7:06 a.m.
PS 38/36 France, Paris. Elections SAIS did not operate between 7:50 a.m. and 8:03 a.m.
PS 28/054, Singerei, Prepelita. Between 11:00 a.m. and 11:05 a.m., Elections SAIS did not operate. Subsequently, one computer stopped working.
PS 28/048, Singerei, Iezarenii Vechi. At 1:34 p.m. electricity went out in the whole community. At 2:45 p.m. it was still out. The voting process was stopped, the reason being the lack of electricity to register voters in the Elections SAIS.

Unjustified presence of unauthorised people inside or within 100 m from the polling station – 16 cases.

PS 27/033 Riscani, Pirjota. 5 people without observer credentials were allowed in the PS, two of them declared they were on behalf of a contender, one on behalf of another, the others were unknown. They justified that their credentials were to be brought to them. PEB chairperson granted them access.
PS 16/033, Edinet, Goleni. Mayor of the commune stands at the entrance to the PS and talks to voters, it is unknown if there is any electioneering going on.
PS 37/8, Harbovat, Anenii Noi. Between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. a representative of a contender was present within 100 metres of the polling station. He was discussing with observers and PEB members.
PS 18/032 Floresti, Gura Camencii. The mayor of the commune together with the PEB Chairperson entered the room where the ballot papers are kept and stayed there for about 5 minutes.
PS 31/004 Soldanesti, Alcedar. A local councillor of a contender (former mayor for two mandates) was present near the PS for about 20–30 minutes talking with voters.
PS 26/008, Rezina, Rezina. After voting, one person was standing next to PS and talking to voters. A policeman warned her and she left.
PS 31/022 Soldanesti, Oliscani. An unknown person had monitored the voting process for 20 minutes through the window of PS. When asked to leave by PEB Chairperson, the person used aggressive and violent language.
PS 38/20, Russian Federation, Moscow. Starting with 8:00 a.m., within 100 m from the polling station, unidentified persons who introduced themselves as part of the ‘Dar pentru Moldova’ team were distributing travel vouchers to voters.
PS 11/014 Cimislia, Albina. Electoral posters favouring a contender were glued on a pole within 10 meters from the PS.
PS 18/55, Floresti, Rosietici. There is a person within the PS, introducing himself as a representative of a contender, but he had neither credentials, nor was wearing a badge. The PEB chairperson is trying to clarify and solve the situation.
PS 37/33 Sanatauca v., Transnistrian region. At 8:30 a.m., veterans of the war on the left bank of Nistru river were transported by 2 cars, one of them with registration number FBH841KD, Volkswagen. They stood in front of the polling station and talked to the voters for 10-15 minutes. As of 10:45 a.m. the war veterans were still in the Sanatauca village.
PS 38/48 Germany, Frankfurt am Main. At 10:15 a.m., a candidate was present within 100 meters from the PS. He did not vote and was talking to voters.
PS 37/4, Calfa, Anenii Noi, Transnistrian region. At 12.30 p.m. a candidate was near the polling station discussing, greeting the voters, PEB members and other observers. He talked to the mayor, who invited him to the town hall to talk.
PS 38/22, Russian Federation, Moscow. At 11:30 a.m. two people (apparently minors) were noticed distributing vouchers worth RUR 1,000 to voters on their way to the polling station.
PS 38/30, Russian Federation, Moscow. At 10.50 a.m., there were unauthorised persons within 100 m of the PS — ‘Dar pentru Moldova’ campaign — who were distributing flyers saying ‘Friendship between Russia and Moldova’. The Chairperson notified the police and police, in turn, notified those people. They went further from the PS, but continued to distribute flyers.
PS 16/49, Edinet, Viisoara. At 12:30 p.m. the President of Edinet district parked his car CNA 101 (Skoda, black, service car) for 10 min in front of the polling station. PEB members did not step in, did not come out.

Presence of advertising materials, posters, election billboards within the range of the polling station (100 meters from the PS premises) – 24 cases.

PS 29/032 Soroca, Horodiste. Within the area of 100 meters from the PS, A3 advertising materials favoring two electoral contenders were identified on the information board. The Promo-LEX observer, including yesterday, drew the attention of PEB chairperson about this fact, but he did not take note.
PS 11/030 Cimislia, Ivanovca Noua. An A4 leaflet that favours a contender is displayed on a pole close to the PS. PEB members were notified and the leaflet was removed.
PS 1/123, Chisinau, Centru. A truck covered with banners of an electoral contender was parked at a distance of about 80 meters from the PS.
PS 1/117, Chisinau, Center. Electoral posters of an electoral contender were displayed on a pole and on the wall of an apartment building, at the entrance, at a distance of about 80 meters from the PS.
PS 36/7 Comrat, ATUG. Advertising materials in support of a contender are displayed within 100 meters of the polling station.
PS 33/26 Taraclia, Salcia. A billboard of a contender was noted within 100 meters of the polling station, on the balcony of an apartment building.
PS 27/003 Riscani, Riscani. Songs from the soviet period can be heard from speakers that are installed in a building across the PS. Advertising materials in favour of a contender are displayed on the same building. The mayor called the police and the situation is currently being dealt with.
PS 25/064, Orhei, Putintei. A4 leaflets in favour of a contender are displayed within maximum 60 meters. The PEB chairperson told that he would delegate a person to remove them.
PS 31/004 Soldanesti, Alcedar. Electoral posters favouring a contender are displayed on an electricity poles within 60 meters from the PS.
PS 31/030 Soldanesti, Sestaci. A4 leaflets of an electoral contender were spotted on the electricity pole and on the information board close to the PS.
PS 32/001 Stefan Voda, Stefan Voda. A billboard of an electoral contender was spotted within the area of the polling station.
PS 36/003 ATUG, Comrat. Two banners displaying a contender and their symbol were spotted within the area of the PS.
PS 28/008, Singerei, Alexandreni. An A3 poster of a contender is displayed within 50 meters from the PS.
PS 14/003 Drochia, Drochia. An A4 leaflet that favours a contender is displayed on a pole within 50 meters from the PS.
PS 25/028 Orhei, Crihana. An advertising banner displaying materials favouring an electoral contender is located within 40 m from the PS. The PEB chairperson was notified and the materials have been removed.
PS 32/031 Stefan Voda, Tudora. Various materials that advertise several contenders are displayed on the information board near the PS, within about 30 meters.
PS 32/031 Stefan Voda, Tudora. Leaflets of a contender are displayed in a shop, across the PS.
PS 32/023 Stefan Voda, Rascaieti. Electoral advertising favouring a contender was spotted on the information board in front of the Culture Palace, across the PS.
PS 18/55, Floresti, Rosietici. Electoral posters of a contender were spotted on an information board and on poles, close to the PS. The PEB chairperson asked a PEB member to remove them.
PS 1/246, Chisinau, Codru. Electoral posters in favour of a contender were spotted within 100 meters from the PS.
PS 7/59 Cahul, Tataresti. Within 50 meters from the PS, electoral posters favouring a contender were spotted on poles, and posters in favour of another contender were spotted on the information board. The PEB chairperson was informed about this and he stepped in to remove that electoral advertising.
PS 13/4 Soldanesti, Alcedar. Electoral posters in favour of a contender were spotted on poles within 50 meters from the PS. After the PEB members were informed, they removed the electoral materials.
PS 1/11 Chisinau, Botanica. Electoral posters of an electoral contender were displayed on a fence across the PS.

Taking pictures of ballot papers, other violations of the secrecy of voting (display of the ballot paper after casting the vote, improper placement of voting booths, which allows to see the voter’s option, etc.) – 36 cases.

PS 25/039, Orhei, Ivancea. The voting booth was located near the table of PEB members and there was the risk that someone could see who the voter voted for.
PS 9/014 Calarasi, Dereneu. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. PEB members notified the PEB chairperson. They called the police and the voter deleted the picture.
PS 1/104 Chisinau, Buiucani. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper after voting, but at the request of PEB chairperson the voter deleted it.
SV 38/46 Germany. A group of voters discuss the voting options in the voting booth. Not a single member of the electoral bureau noticed the incident.
PS 35/007, Ungheni, Ungheni. A voter showed the ballot paper after voting and asked the observers if the choice was correct. All the observers saw who he voted for, but none of PEB members warned him.
PS 37/009 Anenii Noi, Varnita. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The PEB chairperson warned him asked him to delete the picture.
PS 20/048 Hincesti, Miresti. A lady took a picture of the ballot paper. PEB chairperson approached her but it was impossible to find out if the picture was deleted.
PS 11/010 Cimislia, Cimislia. As soon as he came out of the voting booth, a voter showed his ballot paper to a PEB member and introduced it in the ballot box. The chairperson did not notice the incident.
PS 1/242, Chisinau, Riscani. A voter tried to photograph the ballot paper, but the incident was avoided when an observer and the PEB chairperson stepped in.
PS 1/233, Chisinau, Riscani. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper, but at the PEB vice-chairperson’s request it was deleted.
PS 1/191, Chisinau, Riscani. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper, but at the PEB chairperson’s request it was deleted.
PS 1/114, Chisinau, Center. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper, but at the PEB chairperson’s request it was deleted.
PS 1/248, Chisinau, Codru. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper, but at the PEB chairperson’s request it was deleted.
PS 1/136, Chisinau, Center. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper, but at the PEB chairperson’s request it was deleted.
PS 38/65, Italy, Milano. At 9:25 a.m., a voter was noticed photographing the ballot paper. When an observer brought this to the attention of the PEB members they didn’t react in any way whatsoever.
PS 38/48 Germany, Frankfurt am Main. At 7.34 a.m., a case of ballot paper being photographed was registered.
PS 38/48 Germany, Frankfurt am Main. At 8:30 a.m., 2 observers noticed a voter photographing the ballot paper.
PS 38/22, Russian Federation, Moscow. At 10.03 a.m., a case of ballot paper being photographed was noticed.
PS 38/124, Romania, Suceava. At 10:32 a.m. a voter took a picture of the ballot paper and was asked to delete it.
PS 38/147 Turkey, Istanbul. Around 10:40 a.m., a woman entered the voting booth with her phone and made a photo.
PS 38/124 Romania, Suceava. At 11:09 a.m., a voter was noticed photographing the ballot paper.
PS 8/008 Cantemir, Cania. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The PEB chairperson asked the voter to delete it and then called the police. The voter deleted the picture, but a protocol was drafted and he was taken by the police officers.
PS 38/116, Romania, Iasi. At 11.35 a.m., a picture was taken of the ballot paper.
PS 38/65, Italy, Milano. At 11.04 a.m., a picture was taken of the ballot paper.
PS 30/006, Straseni, Straseni. The observer of a political party took a picture of his ballot paper. The PEB Chairperson asked him to delete the picture.
PS 37/010 Anenii Noi, Varnita. More than two voters took a picture of their ballot papers while in the voting booth. The chairperson warned them and asked to delete the pictures.
PS 37/010 Anenii Noi, Varnita. In at least six cases voters consulted one another about who to vote for within the PS.
PS 8/008 Cantemir, Cania. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The PEB chairperson asked the voter to delete it and then called the police. The voter deleted the picture, but a protocol was drafted and he was taken by the police officers.
PS 9/36 Calarasi, Saseni. A young man, aged about 18-20, made a phone call and took a picture of his ballot paper while in the voting booth. The incident was noticed by all those present in the PS. PEB members warned him and asked delete the picture. Doesn’t have any evidence.
PS 35/007, Ungheni, Ungheni. At 12:47 p.m., a voter took a picture of the ballot paper. Not a single PEB member reacted in any way whatsoever, arguing that they had not seen anything.
PS 2/035 Balti, Balti. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. PEB members noticed and asked the voter to delete it.
PS 38/4 Belgium, Brussels. At 11:37 a.m. one voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The voter then deleted it after being told that it was illegal.
PS 38/46 Germany, Berlin. Voters from adjacent voting booths talk and tell each other how to vote.
PS 38/48 Germany, Frankfurt am Main. At 11:45 a.m. one voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
PS 38/147 Turkey, Istanbul. At 1:07 p.m. a voter took a picture of the ballot paper in the voting booth. A PEB member noticed it and asked the voter to delete the picture in front of her, to which the voter complied.
PS 38/147 Turkey, Istanbul. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper in the voting booth. A PEB member noticed it and asked the voter to delete the picture in front of her, to which the voter complied.
The ballot papers that are not distributed to the PEB members are not kept in a secure place – 4 cases
PS 38/40 France, Paris. The undistributed ballot papers kept in the polling station are not under constant surveillance or in a secure place.
PS 38/57 Ireland, Dublin. The ballot papers are kept under the secretary’s table with no one watching them.
PS 38/78, Italy, Mestre. The ballot papers are not kept in a secure place.
PS 38/58 Ireland, Dublin. At 7:10 a.m., the undistributed ballot papers were in a bag on the polling station’s floor.

Ballot boxes were not sealed according to the legal procedures/tearing/damage or absence of seals on ballot boxes — 9 cases.

PS 27/001 Riscani, Riscani. The ballot boxes were sealed with 3 seals each. The PEB chairperson’s explanation was that the PS was not provided with enough seals.
PS 36/13, ATUG, Ceadir-Lunga. The ballot boxes were sealed with only 2 seals.
PS 13/4 Donduseni, Arionesti. One of the stationary ballot boxes was sealed with only 2 seals.
PS 18/55 Floresti, Rosietici. The mobile ballot box was not sealed, and the PEB chairperson said that it will be sealed at 3:00 m., when the mobile ballot box voting will start.
PS 27/13 Riscani, Alunis. The mobile ballot box was not sealed.
PS 1/9 Chisinau, Botanica. The ballot boxes were sealed with only 3 seals.
PS 38/92. Italy, Vicenza. The ballot box was sealed with only 3 seals instead of 4.
PS 1/002, Chisinau, Botanica. The ballot boxes were sealed with 3 seals each. The PEB chairperson said that there are not enough seals.
PS 11/39 Cimislia, Sagaidac. At 12:47 p.m., the Promo-LEX observer found that out of the two stationary ballot boxes, the spare one had no seal.

Unjustified group voting (two or more voters) – 15 cases.

PS 1/99, Chisinau, Buiucani. A husband and a wife were casting their votes in adjacent voting booths. At one point, the husband indicated to his wife the contender to vote for. The PEB chairperson did not take note of the violation.
PS 13/027, Donduseni, Taul. At 9:57 a.m., a husband and a wife voted together in the same voting booth.
PS 32/030 Stefan Voda, Talmaza. Presence in the voting booth of 2 voters at the same time. The PEB chairperson intervened.
PS 37/028 Dubasari, Dorotcaia. Two voters entered together the voting booth exchanging opinions on how to vote. Not a single PEB member reacted in any way whatsoever.
PS 37/028 Dubasari, Dorotcaia. Two voters entered a voting booth at the same time. Not a single PEB member reacted in any way whatsoever.
PS 37/035 Floresti, Sanatauca. Two voters entered a voting booth at the same time. A PEB member intervened and one voter left the booth.
PS 10/005 Causeni, Causeni. Two elderly people voted in the same voting booth, the chairperson not being present on the PS premises.
PS 11/038 Cimislia, Porumbrei. Two voters voted together: an elderly person and a person of about 30 years. They were helped by a PEB member. The chairperson did not react.
PS 11/41, Cimislia, Selemet. At an interval of just 2 minutes, two voters were seen in the same voting booth and two other from adjacent booths consulting each other. PEB members did not step in.
PS 1/252, Chisinau, Cricova. A voter in the PS was calling other people by phone to ask who to vote for. When the PEB chairperson intervened, the voter closed the phone call, cast his vote and left the PS.
PS 1/182, Chisinau, Ciocana. A voter, after receiving the ballot paper and heading to the voting booth, was approached by another voter telling him who to vote for. The PEB chairperson reacted immediately, informing the voters about this being a violation.
PS 38/48 Germany, Frankfurt am Main. At 9:05 a.m. a male and a female voter voted together in the same booth (none had any disability).
PS 38/40 France, Paris. From the beginning of the observation until 9:30 a.m., there were 2 instances of unjustified group voting.
PS 37/041 Stefan Voda, Rascaieti. Before entering the voting booth, 2 voters were deliberating who to vote for. A PEB member warned them not to stand together.
PS 38/46 Germany, Berlin. At 11:44 a.m., two voters, without any justification, entered a voting booth, and not a single PEB member reacted in any way whatsoever.

Failure to observe COVID-19 protection measures – 1 case.

PS 32/031 Stefan Voda, Tudora. The PS does not have in stock any protection masks, including for the person responsible for taking temperatures. The PEB chairperson said that the PS was not provided with enough masks.

Other – 2 cases.

PS 1/140, Chisinau, Center. At 10:10 a.m., a voter came to the polling station with a new-born in a stroller. Allegedly due to COVID pandemic, the PEB chairperson did not allow her to enter the PS with the child. The lady explained that she could not leave the child outside and asked to write a complaint. The chairperson did not allow her to write the complaint, telling her to go home, write the complaint and then come back. The lady did not vote and left.
PS 38/46 Germany, Berlin. At 12.04 p.m. the Promo-LEX observer noticed a member of the electoral bureau inserting himself, instead of voters, the ballot papers into the ballot box.

If there are any discrepancies between the text in Romanian language and its translation in another language, the provisions set in the Romanian version prevail.

For more information, please contact:
Inga Stegarescu, Press Officer of Promo-LEX Association
GSM: 069 26 96 84;
E-mail: [email protected]

Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021: Polling station opening

11 July 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021, states that by 9:00 a.m. the Mission had received 113 incident reports from observers, with this press release including 55 incidents processed by the Promo LEX Observation Mission’s central team at that hour.

Observation methodology

For the election day, Promo-LEX OM appointed one short-term observer (STO) in each of the 600 polling stations (PSs), selected on the basis of a sample established by a sociological company.

In addition, one static observer is assigned in each of the 41 polling stations where voters from the transnistrian region will exercise their right to vote.

The electoral process in the polling stations, in their immediate proximity and the access ways to the polling stations, including those for the voters from the transnistrian region, will be monitored by 80 mobile teams.

Particular attention will be also paid to the polling stations abroad, where static observers were delegated in 84 PSs.

Incidents reported upon polling station opening:

Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 finds,

Restricted access for observers or obstruction of free observation in the polling station – 4 cases.

PS 37/11 Anenii Noi, Varnita. At 6:25 a.m. the PS was closed. The observer required access, but he could not enter. The PEB Chairperson argued that he had not noticed him and let him enter the PS at 7:00 a.m.
PS 32/030 Stefan Voda, Talmaza. The Promo-LEX observer is not allowed to move within the PS.
PS 37/022 Causeni, Hagimus. The Promo-LEX observer arrived at the PS at 6:30 a.m., but he was allowed to enter only at 6:45 a.m.
PS 4/039 Anenii Noi, Varnita. The Promo-LEX observer arrived at the polling station at 6:30 a.m., but the PEB members did not let him in justifying that he arrived too late. He was allowed to enter at 7:00 a.m.

Organised transportation of voters (buses, minibuses or other transport units that, normally, do not have to stay close to the polling stations) – 2 cases.

PS 37/18 Transnistrian region, Copanca. 10 transport units were noticed. Cars and minibuses for 7 people, all of them full with people. Cars’ make: Mercedes Vito A773HC, Opel Zafira T598OB, Chrysler Voyager C495EP.
PS 37/37 Transnistrian region, Rezina. At 7:50 a.m., in the center of the city, near to Star Net office, a white Gazelle minibus, r/n P581BB, transported several people. The transport unit has about 10 places. The driver said they were coming from the metallurgical factory of Rabnita.

Restricted access in the polling station for voters not wearing a mask in the context of COVID – 1 case

PS 11/003 Cimislia, Cimislia. One voter was not allowed to enter the PS because he was not wearing a protective mask; the voter left.

Interruption of the video taping of the electoral procedures during the election day – 6 cases.

PS 1/156, Chisinau, Ciocana. The camera is not functioning at the PS opening. The PEB Chairperson informed CEC. They communicated that during the day a new camera will be provided.
PS 1/91, Chisinau, Buiucani. The camera had deficiencies during the PS opening. The camera has technical deficiencies, is out of order, the chairperson called to report it and was informed that someone would come and fix it to continue the video taping.
PS 1/235, Chisinau, Riscani. The video tapping was started when opening the PS, but the camera works with interruptions, the PEB chairperson being the one who noticed the technical issues. The chairperson called to report it and is trying to remedy the situation.
PS 33/24 Taraclia, Musaitu. The cameras have not been operational since the PS opening.
PS 7/59 Cahul, Tataresti. There is a camera installed in the PS, but the recording was not started. The PEB chairperson was notified, she indicated that she forgot to turn it on and started the recording process.
PS 1/218, Chisinau, Riscani. Only the process of opening the PS was recorded. At 7:21 a.m., the recording stopped. The camera works with interruptions due to technical issues. The PEB chairperson notified that video tapping will be resumed at the closing of the PS.

Electioneering or negative PR within the 100 m perimeter and/or inside the polling station to influence the choice of voters – 3 cases

PS 37/034 Floresti, Sanatauca. Inside the PS was a board with an inscription denigrating a contender. The Promo-LEX observer alerted the chairperson.
PS 9/022 Calarasi, Hoginesti. A PPS supporter dressed in the party’s T-shirt showed up at the polling station. The PEB chairperson asked the person to leave the PS.
PS 1/61, Chisinau, Botanica. A voter, after voting, approached the observers in the PS, asking if they represent a certain contender, asserting that it promised salary increases but nothing has changed.

Presence of advertising materials, posters, election billboards within the range of the polling station (100 meters from the PS premises) – 16 cases.

PS 15/11 Dubasari, Oxentea. Within 100 meters of the polling station there is a billboard of a contender.
PS 16/2 Edinet, Edinet. Within 100 meters of the polling station there is a billboard of a contender.
PS 31/20 Soldanesti, Glinjeni. On the poles, within 100 meters of the polling station there are posters advertising for a contender. They were put up last night, since they weren’t there yesterday. At the request of the PEB chairperson, the posters have been removed.
PS 1/86, Chisinau, Buiucani. On a pole, at the entrance to the PS, a contender’s electoral poster was spotted.
PS 13/020 Donduseni, Rediul Mare. Within 80 m from the PS there are A4 posters on poles advertising for a contender.
PS 19/001, Glodeni, Glodeni. Within 60 m from the PS there is a billboard on a shop’s wall advertising for a contender.
PS 9/028 Calarasi, Paulesti. Within 100 m from the PS there is a poster advertising for a contender. The PEB chairperson removed the poster.
PS 4/037 Anenii Noi, Tintareni. Within 100 m from the PS, posters advertising for a contender were spotted, which weren’t removed.
PS 16/004 Edinet, Edinet. Within 70 m from the PS there is a poster on a shop’s wall advertising for a contender.
PS 18/001 Floresti, Floresti. Within 100 m from the PS on the premises of a household there is a poster advertising for a contender.
PS 20/066 Hincesti, Stolniceni. Within 20 m from the PS, on an information board, there are A4 posters advertising for 3 contenders.
PS 6/038 Briceni. Tetcani. Within 100 m from the PS, posters advertising for a contender were spotted.
PS 15/8 Dubasari, Marcauti. Within 100 meters of the PS there are advertising materials favouring a contender.
PS 1/94, Chisinau, Buiucani. Within 100 meters of the polling station, posters were spotted on the electricity poles, advertising for a contender.
PS 11/010 Cimislia, Cimislia. A shop is located within 100 meters from the PS; A4 leaflets from two contenders are displayed in the shop.
PS 1/120, Chisinau, Center. Advertising materials in support of a contender are displayed within 100 meters of the polling station, in front of the polling station.

The ballot boxes were not sealed according to the legal procedures/the seals on the ballot boxes were torn/destroyed or were missing – 7 cases.

PS 36/7 ATUG, Comrat. The stationary ballot box was sealed with 2 seals instead of 4. PEB chairperson was notified but he did not react.
PS 13/12 Donduseni, Elizavetovca. The stationary ballot box is sealed with 2 seals instead of 4. PEB chairperson said there were not enough seals.
PS 1/26, Chisinau, Botanica. The stationary ballot boxes were sealed only with 3 seals.
PS 1/291, Chisinau, Stauceni. The stationary ballot boxes were sealed only with 3 seals.
PS 1/208, Chisinau, Riscani. The stationary ballot boxes in the PS were sealed only with 2 seals. The PEB chairperson claimed that there was no need to affix more seals. Nonetheless, after mentioning the rule according to which it was mandatory to seal the ballot boxes with 4 seals, the PEB chairperson affixed two more seals on the ballot boxes.
PS 18/053 Floresti, Putinesti. All three ballot boxes were sealed with 2 seals each, the PEB chairperson said he didn’t have enough seals.
PS 33/24 Taraclia, Musaitu. There are two ballot boxes with 2 seals each, instead of 4.

Difficulties in the operation of Elections SAIS (suspended operation; situations when Elections SAIS shows that the voter has already voted, but the voter claims he/she didn’t) – 2 cases.

PS 1/222, Chisinau, Riscani. Starting with 07:20 a.m., Elections SAIS was out of service for 15-20 minutes. The voting process was not stopped, the voters were registered manually and after the deficiencies were eliminated – the data were entered into the system.
PS 18/002 Floresti, Floresti. Between 7:00-7:38 a.m., Elections SAIS was out of service – lack of internet connection. The problem was solved by a Moldtelecom expert. The voting process was stopped during this period.

PS 1/98, Chisinau, Buiucani. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. PEB members did not notice the incident.
PS 13/12 Donduseni, Elizavetovca. PEB chairperson and secretary are located in a way that allows them to see the voting booths and the voters. They said the space was not enough because the room was small.
PS 37/019 Causeni, Copanca. The voters were speaking to each other in the voting booths, thus violating the secrecy of voting.
PS 10/002 Causeni, Causeni. At 7:50 a.m., a voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
PS 11/001 Cimislia, Cimislia. A voter violated the secrecy of voting, he displayed the ballot paper and the voters within the PS could see who he voted for. The chairperson did not react.
PS 13/001 Donduseni, Donduseni. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The chairperson reacted and the picture was deleted.
PS 1/136, Chisinau, Centru. A member of PEB, took a picture of the ballot paper after voting. The incident was seen by the observer nominated by a contender, he intervened with a loud voice and asked to delete the picture. The PEB member said that it is was not stipulated anywhere that it prohibited to take a picture of the ballot paper, but the picture was nevertheless deleted. The PEB chairperson said that it was not stipulated anywhere that it is prohibited to take a picture and that the rule is mainly invoked verbally.
PS 1/121, Chisinau, Centru. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. A PEB member warned the voter. As a result, the voter deleted the picture.

Failure to comply with COVID-19 protection and prevention measures – 2 cases.

PS 1/200, Chisinau, Riscani. PEB members do not wear anti-COVID protection supplies. The observer wore the mask on the face and a PEB member got closer to him and told him that COVID was sleeping.
Transnistrian region, Rascaietii Vechi. Social distancing is not observed by the voters who wait in queue, they do not wear masks.

Unjustified group voting (two or more voters) – 3 cases.

PS 37/035 Floresti, Sanatauca. Two individuals entered a voting booth at the same time.
PS 11/024 Calarasi, Gura Galbenei. At 7:45 a.m., two voters entered the voting booth and voted. The PEB chairperson did not react.
PS 11/001 Cimislia, Cimislia. At 7:11 a.m., two individuals (husband and wife) voted together and the PEB chairperson did not react to this incident.

Other – 1 case:

PS 11/37 Cimislia, Mihailovca. There is no inscription at the polling station that would indicated that there is a polling station there. The number of the polling station is not displayed, as well.

If there are any discrepancies between the text in Romanian language and its translation in another language, the provisions set in the Romanian version prevail.

For more information, please contact:
Inga Stegarescu, Press Officer of Promo-LEX Association
GSM: 069 26 96 84;
E-mail: [email protected]

REPORT no. 5 | Observation Mission for the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021

End of election campaign marked by legal uncertainties related to the conduct of the election, misuse of administrative resources, expenses unreported by electoral contenders, and hate speech and incitement to discrimination

Promo-LEX Observation Mission made public its fifth monitoring report for the early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021. Legal uncertainties related to the funding of elections and lack of a decision that would regulate the organised transportation of voters, various campaigning activities and instruments, unreported expenses for the election campaign and perpetuation of hate speech and incitement to discrimination are some of the topics addressed in this report.

Legal uncertainties related to the conduct of the election

Promo-LEX OM expresses its worry that on 8 July 2021, only three days before the election, the Government has not yet ensured full funding for the organisation and conduct of the early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021. This can affect the quality of procedures on the election day, as the outstanding amount of MDL 22 468 000, expected to be approved at the Government meeting of 7 July 2021, was intended to cover the remuneration of electoral officials.

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) had an intense activity during this period. It passed 77 decisions on the organisation and conduct of the Parliamentary elections. Nonetheless, Promo-LEX Observation Mission draws the attention to the fact that, in spite of the insistent requests by the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (CALC), CEC has not approved any decision to regulate, for this election, the organised transportation of voters on the election day.

In this context, we underline that CEC Decision No 4390 of 20 October 2020, passed for the Presidential Elections, had a dissuasive nature and helped reduce the number of incidents related to the organised transportation of voters. Thus, the lack any actions intended to prevent the organised transportation of voters will result in additional preconditions for influencing the election integrity.

Achievements and problematic issues in the activity of electoral bodies

Compared with the same stage of the Presidential Elections of 1 November 2020, Promo-LEX OM finds a higher number of observers accredited by CEC — 2,442 observers (+249). On the other hand, the number of observers accredited by DEC, on behalf of electoral contenders, has decreased by 60%, according to the mission.

Regarding the activity of observers, Promo-LEX found that they didn’t have full access to voter lists. Thus, of the total 1,691 PSs visited during the reference period (when the electoral rolls should have been already at the polling stations), only 1,276 PEBs (75%) had received the voter lists by the date of the visit. Note that observers had access to the whole voter lists only in 1,019 PSs (80% of 1,276). The most frequent errors found in lists include: presence of deceased people on the list (120 cases), incorrect assigning of voters to another PS from the same or even from a different community (38 cases), and errors with addresses (22 cases).

The number of ballot papers for PSs set up in the country was determined on the basis of the number of voters in the State Register of Voters who have a domicile/residence, and 5,000 ballot papers (the maximum number allowed by law) were printed for the 145 of the 150 PSs set up abroad.

As for the activity of PEBs set up abroad, Promo-LEX OM found that on 7 July 2021 at least half of the bureaus had an even number of members, which is a violation of the law.

Other problematic issues noticed in the activity of electoral bureaus refer to partial compliance with the PEB work schedule, as well as failure to fully comply with the health protection measures in a pandemic context.

Electoral promotion activities and tools used by contenders

On the final straight, the activism of electoral contenders has continuously increased, the number of activities has increased by 25% compared to the previous monitoring period. At the same time, at least 31 electoral meetings were found abroad as a “face-to-face campaigning” (more than three times compared to the previous two weeks of observation), and the electoral meetings for voters in the transnistrian region were not reported. Most of the 1,456 activities observed, as in the previous observation period, were carried out by: PAS – 395 (27%), BECS 226 (15%) and BERU 172 (12%). The most popular activities are the distribution of electoral materials (52%) and electoral meetings (30%).

Promo-LEX observers reported that the number of violations continues to increase. So, during the reference period (23 June – 7 July 2021), observers reported at least 67 cases that can be qualified as the use of administrative resources for electoral promotion, with 18 cases involving PDM, 13 – BECS, 11 – PAS and PPPDA each, 9 – BERU and 5 cases – PPS.

Promo-LEX observers reported at least one case that can be regarded as a gift offering with electoral impact, involving PACE. Seven cases were reported (PAS and BECS – 3 cases each, BERU – 1 case) of using the image/symbols of the state of the Republic of Moldova or of other states.

We also draw the attention to four cases of electoral advertising that did not comply with printing requirements (2 cases – PACE and 1 case – PPDA, PUN, BECS each), as well as 64 cases of advertising in unauthorised places.

At least three cases that can be regarded as violence during the election campaign were reported during the observation period. All of them involved AUR and BECS.

Not all contenders have filed their financial reports with CEC, and the ones filed are incomplete

As of 2 July 2021, only 19 of the 23 registered electoral contenders had submitted the financial reports to CEC. Promo-LEX also find a low quality of the reported information.

The 19 electoral contenders declared total revenue of MDL 33,579,929, of which 36% were reported by BERU, 18% – by PAS, and 12% – by BECS and PPS each. Thus, 4 electoral contenders reported 78% of all revenues, and the remaining 11 electoral contenders – only 22%. On the other hand, the amount of declared expenses is MDL 30,459,125 (37% were reported by BERU, 18% – by PAS, 13% – by PPS, but 12% – by BECS). Therefore, 80% of the total financial expenses were reported also by 4 contenders, the other 20% – by the other 15 contenders that submitted the reports to CEC. The main purposes of the expenses referred to political advertising (64%) and promotional materials (24%).

At the same time, Promo-LEX estimated for all six weeks of the election campaign, unreported expenses of at least MDL 10,859,900. Of these, for BECS – MDL 3,264,762; PPS – MDL 2,329,133; PDM – MDL 1,342,712, PAS – MDL 1,007,578, PPPDA – MDL 749,539; BERU – MDL 646,041; PPCC – MDL 573,912; PACE – MDL 361,765; PUN – MDL 260,329; AUR – MDL 187,315; PDCM – MDL 93,001; PPDA – MDL 12,458; PPN – MDL 11,652; V. Valico – MDL 7,498; PVE – MDL 4,280; PS – MDL 3,823; PRM – MDL 2,708; MPSN – MDL 793; PPM – MDL 600.

Hate speech and incitement to discrimination gains momentum in the final stretch of the election campaign

The last period of the election campaign is marked by a 43% increase in the number of cases of hate speech and incitement to discrimination compared to the previous monitoring period (June 8-20, 2021). Thus, out of the 43 cases identified by Promo-LEX monitors, at least 26 cases were generated by 11 candidates included on the lists of 8 electoral contestants: Vasile Costiuc (PPDA) – 6 cases; Renato Usatii (BERU) – 4 cases; Fiodor Ghelici (POM) – 3 cases; Valeriu Munteanu (AUR) – 2 cases; Igor Dodon (BECS) – 2 cases; Dorin Chirtoaca (GOLD) – 2 cases; Victoria Grosu Vremeș (GOLD) – 2 cases; Andrei Năstase (PPPDA) – 2 cases; Iurie Reniță (PUN), Vladimir Voronin (BECS) and Gheorghe Cavcaliuc (PACE) – one case each. In addition, a case had as author the representative of the PPN competitor, Cristian Rizea.

On the other hand, in at least 10 cases, hate speech and incitement to discrimination in the public space targeted two candidates from BECS electoral rolls: Igor Dodon – in 7 cases and Vladimir Voronin – in 3 cases. The other speeches affected members and supporters of BECS, PLD, the President of the Republic of Moldova, other politicians.

The report is developed as part of the Observation Mission of the Early Parliamentary Elections of 11 July 2021 is carried out by the Promo-LEX Association with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the ‘Democracy, Transparency and Accountability’ Program, of the Council of Europe through the project “Support for the civic observation of the early parliamentary elections of 2021 in polling stations created abroad”, as well as the Embassy office of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Moldova through the project “Support for citizen information and observation of 2021 Early parliamentary elections in the polling stations created for voters from Transnistrian region”. ‘Hate speech’ component is supported by Justice and Human Rights Department of Soros Foundation Moldova under ‘Consolidation of a platform for the development of activism and education in the area of human rights in Moldova – stage IV’ Project.

For more details, please contact:
Inga Stegarescu, Press Officer of Promo-LEX Association;
GSM: 069 26 96 84;
E-mail: [email protected]