The Promo-LEX Association released the Report no. 2. Civic Monitoring of Police Reform in the Republic of Moldova. The report is issued on a quarterly basis and covers the period of 1 January – 30 June 2019. Full version of the report in English will be available soon.

In accordance with the existing Methodology, some aspects of the monitored process are assessed by means of interviews with decision-makers in the territorial offices of the Police. We are glad to mention that the representatives of the Police were open to the interview with the Promo-LEX monitors and were quick to provide answers to the questions addressed. Following the interviews carried out in the period covered by this report, we can highlight the following important points:

Regarding the need to improve the electronic register of arms. At least 23 of the people interviewed (62%) out of 37 have stated that it is necessary to improve the application, because the current version does not meet the requirements, or is outdated.

Regarding clear delimitation of the powers of district police officers.  18 (44%) of the 42 respondents in the police departments, and 5 (36%) of 14 top officers believe that the powers of district police officers are not clearly defined.

Regarding the initiative to reorganize the National Patrol Inspectorate (NPI) and the new organizational chart of the institution. 8 respondents (19%) in the leadership of the Police departments out of the total of 42 interviewed declared they did not know about the initiative to reorganize the NPI.

As for the extent of the implementation of the actions and sub-actions defined in the Police Development Strategy for 2016 -2020 and the Action Plan for its implementation, the Promo-LEX has found that, at the end of the reporting period, the institutions have the same qualifications as in the preceding reporting  period (end of 2018). Thus, all of the 15 sub-actions in the arrears, analyzed in the previous report are qualified as unfulfilled.

At the same time, we recall that out of the total activities planned, 45 sub-actions were to be carried out by the end of 2018, of which, the Promo-LEX Association qualified 58% as fulfilled or partially fulfilled.
Other details regarding the previous monitoring period can be found in Report No. 1 – Civic Monitoring of Police Reform in Moldova, available here.

In order to discuss the objectives and results of the process of Police reforming in detail, as well as the role of the development partners involved in the process, the Promo-LEX Association, in partnership with the General Inspectorate of the Police will conduct information campaigns on an annual basis. Thus, starting with 18 December, which is the National Day of the Police, they will distribute informational materials among the citizens and produce a series of videos to explain the aspects of the Police reforming process.

The report was carried out as part of the “Civic Monitoring of Police Reform in the Republic of Moldova” project. The project is funded by the European Union, co-financed and implemented by the Promo-LEX Association.

The project “Civic Monitoring of Police Reform in the Republic of Moldova” emphasizes the role of civic oversight by non-governmental organizations during the implementation of reforms, as well as the right of citizens to participate in the decision-making process. The overall objective of the project is to consolidate the accountability, efficiency and transparency of the Police Reform in the Republic of Moldova.

For more details, please contact:
 Carolina Bondarciuc, Communication Officer of the Promo-LEX Association; GSM: 069269684,
email: [email protected]

The Promo-LEX Association presented the main conclusions and recommendations of the Observation Mission for the 2019 General Local and New Parliamentary Elections, at the Post-Electoral Conference “2019 General Local Elections from the perspective of free, fair and inclusive elections: challenges and solutions.”

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission draws attention to the important issues previously reported and which have remained unresolved, having an effect on the elections of 20 October (3 November) 2019: the ambiguities on determining the date of the elections; the lack of a clear legal mechanism to prevent the “artificial migration of voters”; absence of specific regulations on the start date of the second round of elections.

The legal framework amended during the elections affects the accuracy and predictability of the process

The Promo-LEX cannot overlook the fact that both the accuracy and predictability of the electoral process have been hindered by the multiple amendments that were adopted by the Parliament to the existing legislation (15.08.2019) during the electoral period.

Moreover, the Promo-LEX OM found that due to the application of the legislative norms amended in parallel for two types of elections held on the same day, the organization of the electoral process was complicated and accompanied by uncertainties.

As to the holding of the new parliamentary elections on the same day with the local ones, the Promo-LEX OM considers that the CEC were to set the date of the elections between 7th of September 2019 – 7th of October 2019.

Independent candidates were disadvantaged compared to those nominated by political parties

The Promo-LEX observers repeatedly stressed the fact that independent candidates, especially in Chisinau mun. and Balti mun. are disadvantaged in the registration process compared to those nominated by political parties by requiring them to collect signatures in support of their candidacy.

Likewise, among the main concerns of the Association are the differentiated approaches of the electoral bodies in dealing with similar situations of registration of competitors as follows: observing the gender quota in the councilors’ lists; registration of candidates on the basis of the Designation Minutes adopted before the legal deadline set forth in respect thereof; the obligation for a list to include only signatures of the supporters residing in a single settlement.

Enhanced activism of electoral candidates at the end of the campaign

The electoral competitors have shown an increased activism, especially at the end of the electoral campaign, at the same time, there being also identified cases of promotion with an electoral tinge before the legal deadline. According to the Promo-LEX OM, electoral campaigns are still marked by the use of administrative resources, 191 cases have been reported, most of them referring to the conduct of electoral meetings with employees of public institutions during working hours. Observers also revealed at least 34 cases that could be qualified as electoral gift offering.

Other irregularities identified by the observers also include: the use of electoral advertising in breach of legal provisions (171 cases); promotion of candidates using the image of personalities from abroad (10 cases); use of the image of public authorities during the electoral campaign (10 cases); use of violence in electoral campaign (5 cases).

The day of the elections marked by campaigning, shortcomings in the voters’ lists and cases of material incentives offered to voters

Following the monitoring of 794 PSs in the first round of elections and 307 PSs in the second one, the Promo-LEX Observers reported 563 incidents, with a downward trend as compared to parliamentary elections of 24 February 2019 where 1118 incidents have been reported.

On the same lines, the Promo-LEX OM draws attention to the fact that in at least 18 cases, the Mission’s observers were restricted to monitor freely the electoral procedures, as well as receiving the minutes on vote counting. In quantitative terms, the most frequently reported incidents were: unjustified presence of unauthorized persons in the PS or within 100 m from it (71) as well as deficiencies in voters’ list (69).

The Promo-LEX OM additionally warns against cases of electoral agitation on the election day – 31 as well as rumours/material rewards offered to voters – 16 cases.

Electoral competitors continue not to report all expenses incurred during the election campaign

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission found a deficient situation in the submission of reports by ICs to the DECs – only 6% of the candidates registered therein. On the same lines, the Promo-LEX OM warns about the need to declare the value of material donations to the balance sheet of the financial report, in the section entitled turnover of financial resources.

The Promo-LEX OM found that an amount of MDL 6 104 594 was unreported. Thus, 26 electoral competitors failed to report in full the expenditures incurred by them during the electoral campaign. They are as follows: the PSRM, the PDM, the ACUM Bloc, the PPS, the PUN, the PCRM, the PL, the PN, the USB, the PPEM, the PPR, IC Turturica Natalia, IC Rusu Vasile, the PPVP, IC Dandis Nicolae, the PNL, IC Nicolae Balaur, the PPM, the PPDA, the POM, IC Moruz Dumitru, the PVE, the PAD, IC Valeriu Dragan, the PSE, the MPA. Of these, the PSRM failed to report at least MDL 3 515 587, the PDM – MDL 844 706, the ACUM Bloc – MDL 490 668, the PPS – MDL 404 245.

The mission warns that the level of estimated expenditures (6 104 594 lei) compared to the level officially declared at the CEC (19 726 281 lei) reaches 31%, this being the highest weight compared to previous elections. Thus, in the general local elections 2019, we have witnessed the lowest level of transparency in the financing of the electoral campaign for the last five years.

Artificial migration of voters and errors detected in the voters’ lists

The quality of management of the State Registry of Population, raises concerns, especially in the context of the general local elections. Thus, in addition to the constant increase in the number of voters in the SRV, against the background of a negative natural population growth in the Republic of Moldova, there are still issues encountered with the quality of the voters’ lists such as: deceased persons, wrong attribution of voters, non-inclusion of voters in the basic voters’ lists, etc.

The artificial migration of voters has been observed in these elections as well. Minimum three requests for domicile registration have been identified in at least 29 ATUs I, whilst the number of voters on the additional lists was equal to or greater than the difference of votes between the first two candidates in at least 19 UCs I.

Current elections marked by hate speech and other forms of intolerance

In this electoral campaign, competitors continued to use hate speech and elements of discrimination – 42 cases identified therein. In terms of types of hate speech, the most prevalent are sexist prejudices, gender stereotypes in society and prejudices among people with mental health problems.

The full report can be accessed here.

The Observation Mission for the General Local Elections and New Parliamentary Elections of 20 October 2019 was carried out by the Promo-LEX Association with the financial support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through the „Democracy, Transparency and Responsibility” Program, while the „Hate Speech and Incitement to Discrimination” compartment is supported by the Soros Foundation-Moldova through the project „Strengthening the platform for development of activism and education of Human Rights in the Republic of Moldova”.

For more details, please contact: Inga Stegarescu, Press Officer of the Promo-LEX Association;

GSM: 069 26 96 84;
E-mail: [email protected]

November 3, 2019
Time: 9:30 pm

 The Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20 (November 3) 2019 informs that by 9.00 pm it received from its observers 145 incident reports.  The present press release includes 9 incidents processed by the central team of Promo-LEX Mission between 6.30 and 9.00 pm.  

In the context of the second round of general local elections, the Promo-LEX Observation Mission finds:  

Unjustified presence of unauthorized persons in the PS or within 100 m from it – 1 case.

• PS 1/299, Chisinau, Stauceni. A group of 4 persons were within 100 m from the PS for a period of 2-3 hours, urging the citizens to vote. As the observer approached, they left.

Organized transportation of voters (coaches, minibuses or other transport units that normally would not be around the PS) -1 case.

• PS 25/55, Peresecina, Orhei. Noticing that a car repeatedly transported voters to the PS, representatives of a competitor decided to block the vehicle in an intersection and called the police to denounce the transportation of voters. Law enforcers arrived on the site and registered a complaint from another competitor about the blocking of the car, as for the transportation of voters, the police said that there is no legal basis for sanctions.

Rumors, attempts or even cases of material or monetary reward offered to voters within 100 m from the polling station to influence the voters’ choice – 2 cases.

• PS 23/27, Nisporeni, Marinici. From the discussion with several locals, it was found that during the election day, voters were provided with organized transportation and offered 250 lei. It is assumed that both candidates offered certain material rewards throughout the day.
• PS 1/282 Chisinau, Bacioi. A person left a gray Audi and approached a group of voters, proposing them money, after which, one of the voters entered the PS and voted.

Photographing of the ballot paper, other violations of the secret of voting (displaying the ballot with the vote cast, defective location of the voting booths that makes it possible to see the voter’s option, etc.) – 2 cases

• PS 1/296 Chisinau, Gratiesti. At about 4.15 pm, a voter photographed the ballot, then the ballot was canceled. Another voter tried to photograph the ballot, but he was stopped by PEB members.
• PS 1/312 Chisinau, Ghidighici. A voter photographed the ballot, he was noticed, but he managed to put the ballot into the ballot box and left in a hurry. The PEB president called the police and drew up an infringement act.

Ballot boxes have not been secured in compliance with the legal procedures / broken / deteriorated or absence of seals on the ballot boxes – 1 cases.

• PS 23/3, Nisporeni. The stationary ballot box was secured with only 2 seals.

Cancellation of ballots before closure of the polling station – 1 case.

• PS 1/239, Chisinau, Riscani District. At 8:34 pm, PEB members began to apply the canceled stamp on the remaining ballots before the closure of the PS. At the observation of the president, they stopped.

Other incidents – 1 case.

• PS 5/11, Basarabeasca, Bascalia. The video camera was not disconnected, it was functional during the entire voting process.

The press release is made as part of the Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019 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.

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 point of view of the funders or partners. The content of this document may be subject to editorial review.

For more details, please contact:

Inga Stegarescu, Communication Officer of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019. GSM 069269684, e-mail: [email protected]

November 3, 2019
Time: 7.30 pm

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20 (November 3) 2019 informs that by 6.30 pm it received from its observers 136 incident reports.  The present press release includes 48 incidents processed by the central team of Promo-LEX Mission between 1.30 and 6.30 pm. 

In the context of the second round of general local elections, the Promo-LEX Observation Mission finds:  

Presence of advertising materials, posters, electoral panels within the polling station (100 meters from the polling station) – 4 cases.

• PS 30/30, Straseni, Negrești. Electoral posters of competitors have been seen within 100 m from PS.
• PS 32/8, Stefan Voda, Carahasani. Electoral posters of a competitor have been seen at a distance of about 50 m from the PS.
• PS 14/14 Drochia, Macareuca. A3 electoral posters of a competitor have been posted at a distance of 80 meters from the PS.
• PS1 / 287 Chisinau, Bubuieci. Electoral posters of a competitor appeared on the pillars near the PS. An observer claims that in the morning, they were not there.

Unjustified presence of unauthorized persons in the PS or within 100 m from it – 10 cases.

• PS 1/273, Chisinau, Singera. About 10-13 people are standing in front of a stall, located at a distance of 50-60 m from the PS, having hot drinks. A formal mayoral candidate is one of the group.
• PS 23/31 Nisporeni, Seliste. A group of 8 persons – representatives of a competitor are standing within 100 m from the PS, discussing with almost every voter.
• PS 34/44 Telenesti, Verejeni. At 13.55, the mayoral candidate spent at least 30 min. communicating with voters at a distance of about 50 m from the PS.
• PS 14/9 Drochia, Baroncea. At 2.57 pm, a mayoral candidate spent at least 30 min. in front of the polling station.
• PS 16/39 Edineț, Lopatnic. The president of the territorial organization of a party was discussing with a person for 20 min. at a distance of 20 meters from the polling station. Having noticed that he was monitored by the observer, he got into the car and left.
• PS 16/34 Edineț, Gordinești. At 3.59 pm, some unauthorized persons stood for about 30 min. at a distance of 15 meters from the polling station.
• PS 24/6 Ocnita, Otaci. At 16.47, an unauthorized person stood for about 10 min. at a distance of 20 meters from the polling station. A PEB member approached this person and took a bag with unidentified content.
• PS 1/67 Chisinau, Buiucani District. The PEB driver was in the PS in the morning. He participated in the sealing of ballot boxes and other activities of the PEB. When the STO requested explanations from the PEB president, he replied that the driver has the right to be present and help PEB members.
• PS 34/30 Telenesti, Negureni. The candidates for the mayor’s office of Negureni have monitored the voter turnout all day from a distance of about 70 m.
• PS 1/282 Chisinau, Bacioi. The STO reports that two cars (gray and black) were parked at a distance of 3-5 meters from the PS. The STO mentions that he noticed a person in the gray car talking to voters and saying “today you earned some money”.

Electoral or adverse campaigning within 100 m and / or in the precinct of the polling station to influence the voters’ choice – 2 cases

• PS 1/222, Chisinau, Riscani District. A voter, while waiting for his turn to vote, urged those present to vote for a certain candidate. The president and members of the PEB reprimanded him.
• PS 18/58 Floresti, Sanatauca. At 2. 35 pm, family members of a mayoral candidate were campaigning for at least 30 min. at a distance of about 80 m from the polling station.

Organized transportation of voters (coaches, minibuses or other transport units that normally would not be around the PS) -7 cases

• PS 5/2, Bessarabeasca. The sympathizers of a competitor transported elderly voters to the PS, although they initially wrote requests to vote at the place of residence. Different cars are observed every time.
• PS 5/2, Bessarabeasca. A candidate’s brother organized the transportation of Roma to the PS.
• PS 11/4, Cimislia. A candidate rented several cars that brought voters to the PS. The PS president wrote a complaint to the police requesting measures to be taken.
• PS 11/5, Cimislia. A candidate rented several cars that bring voters to the PS (each time the cars are different).
• PS 22/33, Leova, Sarata Razesi. A candidate transported on his own car 2 voters, who were removed from the record from another settlement. However, they were not allowed to vote.
• PS 16/34 Edinet, Gordinesti. At least 4 voters were transported in an organized manner by a candidate for the mayoral position on a Renault Laguna.
• PS 1/208, Chisinau, Riscani District. A black WV car, reg. no. AI 290, was noticed at least 3 times approaching the PEB premises, carrying 4-5 voters every time.

Rumors, attempts or even cases of material or monetary reward offered to voters within 100 m from the polling station to influence the voters’ choice – 4 cases.

• PS 9/41, Calarasi, Temeleuti. A councilor, representing a competitor, transported voters to the PS. After voting, they went shopping in two stores owned by one of the candidates.
• PS 30/26, Straseni, Micauţi. Representatives of a competitor offered tea and coffee at the gate of the Culture House, located at a distance of about 50 m from the PS. From the discussion with the locals, the observer found out that in the first half of the day, they gave away live fish.
• PS 30/26, Straseni, Micauţi. At a distance of 50 m from the PS, representatives of a competitor improvised a table where they offered 100 grams of alcohol to each voter.
• PS 28/54 Falesti, Pruteni. From the discussion with the locals, the observer found out that a candidate’s brother addressed the voters from the village of Pruteni, with the proposal to transport people with expired identity cards to the Multifunctional Center of the Public Services Agency to make a provisional ID and to vote for a certain competitor for the amount of 200 lei. The voters were transported on a Mercedes minibus, reg. no. C HM 691. The Falesti Police Inspectorate was notified of this. According to the information obtained, 5 persons from Pruteni asked the Falesti PSA to be issued provisional IDs.

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

PS 1/162 Chisinau, Ciocana District. At 13.58, the voting process was suspended for about 12 minutes, because there was no Internet connection and the SIAS Elections system did not work. At the moment, a network operator is in charge of settling the problem. The PEB president, called the CEC, to request help in order to solve the given problem.

Deficiencies in the operation of SIAS Elections system (suspension of operation; situations when SIAS Elections system indicates that the voter voted, and he claims not to) – 7 cases.

• PS 1/169 Chisinau, Ciocana District. While verifying the voter’s data, SIAS Elections system showed that the person voted, but he did not have the stamp “Voted” in the identity card, and in the lists, it was seen that he did not vote. Having made several phone calls to the higher electoral bodies, PEB president allowed the voter to vote.
• PS 16/34 Edinet, Gordinesti. At 2.25 pm, SIAS Elections did not work for 10-15 minutes.
• PS 27/6 Rișcani, Ramazan. At 3.40 pm, one of the computers in the PS did not work for about 40 minutes.
• PS 27/46 Rișcani, Bulhac. At 3.20 pm, one of the computers in the PS did not work for about 40 minutes.
• PS 27/33 Riscani, Pirlita. There was no Internet connection from 7:00 to 7:40 am.
• PS 1/31 Chisinau, Botanica District. On one of the two computers, the SIAS Elections system did not work because of poor Internet connection. Until 6:20 pm, the problem was not solved.
• PS 32/5, Stefan Voda, Lazo. There was no Internet connection for about 25 min. A provisional list of voters was made on a simple sheet of paper.

Deficiencies in the voters’ lists (discrepancies between addresses; deceased voters on the list; signatures instead of others) – 5 cases.

• PS 1/213, Chisinau, Riscani District. In the case of a voter, it was found that the address in the identity card did not coincide with that in the main voters’ lists. The PEB members made the changes on lists.
• PS 31/28 Soldanesti, Salcia. A voter with the right to vote within the PS was not on the main voters’ lists or in the State Registry of Voters. As soon as the PEB members contacted the CEC, the voter left without voting.
• PS 1/152 Chisinau, Center District. Several addresses were not included in the voters’ lists. In most cases, these are the addresses of new blocks. All persons who are not in the main list but are assigned to the PS, were introduced into supplementary lists.
• PS 1/280 Chisinau, Bacioi. At least seven voters were not on the voters’ lists, but they were in SIAS Elections system. They were included in the supplementary lists.
• PS 1/8 Chisinau, Botanica District. A voter noted that his identity data were incorrectly entered in the voters’ lists. The PEB president decided to correct the mistake with a pen.

Photographing of the ballot paper, other violations of the secret of voting (displaying the ballot with the vote cast, defective location of the voting booths that makes it possible to see the voter’s option, etc.) – 1 case

• PS 9/41, Calarasi, Temeleuți. A voter photographed the ballot after voting. He did not respond to the comments made by the PEB members.

Ballot boxes have not been secured in compliance with the legal procedures / broken / deteriorated or absence of seals on the ballot boxes – 2 cases.

• PS 4/22, Anenii Noi, Floreni. Of the two stationary ballot boxes present in the PS, only one was sealed.
• PS 14/13 Drochia, Cotova. Of the 4 mobile boxes present, only two are sealed and two others have not been secured.

Non-compliant use of ballot papers – 1 case.

• PS 1/237, Chisinau, Riscani District. In the polling booth, an aggressive voter tore the ballot and wanted to take it out with him, but the PEB president alerted the police. As a result, the aggressive voter left the ballot and abandoned the PS.

Other incidents – 4 cases

• PS 1/133 Chisinau, Center District. A voter voted using the accompanying sheet of another voter. PEB members identified the error, after applying the stamp “voted” on the sheet. As a result, the PEB president canceled the stamp on the sheet. The voter wrote an explanation and the case was reported to the CEC.
• PS 1/213, Chisinau, Riscani District. A voter in the polling booth said that after the repeated application of the VOTE stamp on the ballot paper, it is not visible. As a result, an observer entered the voting booth and applied the stamp for him.
• PS 31/6, Soldanesti, Chipeșca. A complaint has been filed by the representative with the right to consultative vote in the EC I, but the PEB president refused to receive and examine it. The complaint concerned electoral campaigning.
• PS 1/287 Chisinau, Bubuieci. The president and secretary of the PS allowed a voter to vote without his identity card, only with the accompanying sheet. The president explained it by the fact that there was the stamp from the first round of elections on it.

Incidents reported by citizens:

Promo-LEX OM mentions that until 6.30 pm,  it received at least 15 phone calls and at least 18 messages on social networks reporting certain incidents that allegedly occurred during the election day: organized transportation of voters (7), electoral campaigning on election day ( 6 cases), bribery of voters (4), phone calls from supporters of electoral competitors urging the citizens to vote (1), etc.

We assure you that the Promo-LEX OM makes great effort to ensure a fair and efficient observation of the electoral process. However, we consider it necessary to specify that the Mission conducts its activity based on an observation methodology and the information presented in the press releases / reports must be observed directly by the Promo-LEX observers or verified on the basis of several sources. We reiterate that, only the reports of the OM, the monitors’ observations reported according to thematic templates, as well as official information, serve as sources for our reports. During the planned visits, including during the post-election period, observers analyze the information resulting from discussions, meetings with inhabitants and consultation of official documents.

Given the limited human resources, it is difficult to check all the reports received during the Election Day. Some of these have been analyzed during the election day, others will be analyzed in the coming days, the results, in case the rumors are confirmed, are to be found in the subsequent reports of the Mission.

The press release is made as part of the Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019 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.

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 point of view of the funders or partners. The content of this document may be subject to editorial review.

For more details, please contact:

Inga Stegarescu, Communication Officer of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019. GSM 069269684, e-mail: [email protected]

 November 3, 2019
Time: 2:30 p.m

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20 (November 3) 2019 informs that by 1.30 pm it received from its observers 88 incident reports.  The present press release includes 57 incidents processed by the central team of Promo-LEX Mission between 9.00 and 1.30 pm.

In the context of the second round of general local elections, the Promo-LEX Observation Mission finds:

Obstruction / Limitation of the observation process – 2 cases.

• PS 13/13 and 13/14 Donduseni, Frasin. Observers of the Promo-LEX mobile team suspect that their car was tracked by unidentified persons. When the mobile team visited the commune of Frasin, it was followed by a car – a minibus of VW Crafter model, reg. no. MLN 754, with 3 men in it. The man driving the minibus took pictures of the mobile team’s car, then made a phone call. 30 min. later, the vehicle following the mobile team was seen around the PS 13/13.
• PS 12/5, Criuleni, Balabanesti. Observers have been located in such a place that they cannot observe the entire voting process. The place assigned for them is behind a wall, from where they can observe only the voting in the booth and the insertion of ballots into the ballot box. Thus, the activity of operators and PEB members is not visible. To observe the whole process, observers have to be standing directly near the desk of PEB members.

Presence of advertising materials, posters, electoral panels within the polling station (100 meters from the polling station) – 10 cases.

• PS 1/262 Chisinau, Durlesti. There is an electoral poster 50-60 m away from the PS.
• PS 13/1 Donduseni. A party newspaper with the candidate’s image is placed on the information panel within 100 meters of the polling station.
• PS 24/6 Ocnita, Otaci. At a distance of approx. 70 m, there is a 3 x 6 m billboard of a competitor installed.
• PS 34/26 Telenesti, Leuseni. An electoral poster promoting a candidate is displayed in front of the polling station.
• PS 1/303, Chisinau, Tohatin. An electoral panel has been noticed at a distance of about 35 m from the PS.
• PS 1/270, Chisinau, Singera. A banner promoting a candidate has been noticed on the wall of a store within 100 m from the PS.
• PS 32/27, Stefan Voda, Slobozia. A banner promoting a candidate has been noticed within a 100 m from the PS.
• PS 4/2, Anenii Noi. There is a candidate’s banner within 100 m from the PS.
• PS 25/55, Orhei, Peresecina. At least 10 electoral posters have been noticed within 100 m from the PS.
• PS 26/16, Rezina, Gordinesti. Electoral posters of a candidate have been noticed on the electricity pillar within 100 m from the polling station.

Unjustified presence of unauthorized persons in the PS or within 100 m from it – 13 cases.

• PS 31/29 Soldanesti, Samascani. One of the candidates spent more than 20 minutes around PS at a distance of about 70 m.
• PS 28/27 Singerei, Copaceni. The president of the territorial organization of a party that has nominated a candidate is standing in front of the PS at a distance of about 10 m and discussing with the voters.
• PS 5/2, Bessarabeasca. Several unauthorized persons were standing at the exit of the PS, where one of them was recording everything on her phone, and two others were asking voters if they received any rewards for voting. Subsequently, after being reprimanded, they changed their location (about 500 m away from the PS), continuing their activity.
• PS 7/41, Cahul, Giurgiulesti. The candidates are within 100 m from the PS.
• PS 32/27, Stefan Voda, Slobozia. Groups of supporters of both candidates gathered around the PS and discussed.
• PS 11/38, Cimislia, Porumbrei. A candidate is near the PS (approximately 50 m), discussing with voters.
• PS 32/25, Stefan Voda, Rascaieti. A candidate entered the PS where he spent about 8 minutes, sat next to the observers and spoke to them.
• PS 1/278, Chisinau, Vatra. At 11:48 am, the mayor invited one of the PEB members to the entrance of the PS and asked about voter turnout. In response to the information communicated by the PEB members, he stated that voters should be mobilized. Shortly after, the mayor left.
• PS 24/6 Ocnita, Otaci. One person is standing at a distance of 50 m from the polling station. The woman was holding an A4 sheet of paper with a list of people on it. Several people approached the woman to check their names in the above list.
• PS 1/265 Chisinau, Durlesti. Between 8 and 11 am, there was a Volvo with two people in it stationed at a distance of about 10-20 m from PS. The Promo-LEX observer announced the PEB president, who approached the car and informed them that they are not allowed to be on the territory of polling station. One of the persons, continued to stay within 30 m of the polling station, while the car left. The PEB president announced the Police.
• PS 34/26 Telenesti, Leuseni. Between 11.40-12.40, a candidate was in less than 100 m from the PS discussing with residents.
• PS 13/13 Donduseni, Frasin. A close relative of one of the candidates spent at least 30 min. at a distance of 20 meters from the PS.
• PS 22/12, Leova, Baiuș. A candidate was near the PS, talking to voters. A policeman was present at the scene, but did not intervene.

Incidents involving the use of video recording camera in the PS – 1 case.

• PS 33/21, Taraclia, Samurza. The video recording camera has not been disconnected since the opening of the PS and is still filming the voting process.

Unjustified group voting (there are 2 and more people in the voting booths) – 2 cases.

• PS 1/176, Chisinau, Ciocana District. Two people, husband and wife, voted in the same voting booth. The PEB president did not react.
• PS 1/276, Chisinau, Durlesti. Two elderly people approached the voting booths, one voted for the other on the grounds that he was visually challenged. The PEB president canceled the ballots and the voters were given other ballots.

Electoral or adverse campaigning within 100 m and / or in the precinct of the polling station to influence the voters’ choice – 2 cases

• PS 9/15, Calarasi, Dereneu. A mayoral candidate is carrying out electoral campaigning within 100 m from the PS.
• PS 1/194, Chisinau, Ciocana District. A voter, who exercised his right to vote, suggested to another one how to vote. The PEB president intervened promptly and the case was settled.

Rumors, attempts or even cases of material or monetary reward offered to voters within 100 m from the polling station to influence the voters’ choice – 1 case.

• PS 9/12, Calarasi, Bravicea. There are rumors that within 100 m from the PS, in an adjacent store, alcoholic beverages are offered free of charge.

Deficiencies in the operation of SIAS Elections System (suspension of operation; situations when SIAS Elections system indicates that the voter voted while he claims not to) – 8 cases.

• PS 18/34 Floresti, Unchitesti. Only one operator works in the PS.
• PS 18/20 Florești, Cuhurestii de Jos. Only one operator works in the PS.
• PS 1/135 Chisinau, Center District. The SIAS Elections system did not work for about 10 min. Voters were registered manually on a sheet of paper and subsequently their data were entered into the database.
• PS 1/96 Chisinau, Buiucani District. The SIAS Elections system did not work for about 15 minutes because of poor Internet connection.
• PS 1/162, Chisinau, Ciocana District. At 10.06 am, the SIAS Elections system did not work for about 12 min. The voting process was suspended until the technical deficiency was removed.
• PS 1/135 Chisinau, Center District. 895 voters have been entered in the SIAS Elections system, while according to the main voters’ lists, the total number of voters is 1895.
• PS 16/25 Edinet, Cipeleuți. Starting with 11:10, the SIAS Elections system did not work for about 10- 15 min.
• PS 1/162, Chisinau, Ciocana District. The voting process was suspended from 13.30 to 13.37, because there was no Internet connection and the SIAS Elections system did not work. The PEB president requested technical assistance.

Deficiencies in the voters’ lists (discrepancies between addresses; deceased voters on the lists; signatures instead of others) – 3 cases.

• PS 1/57 Chisinau, Botanica District. Several people are registered at the domicile of a voter. The problem also appeared in the parliamentary elections of 24.02.2019.
• PS 1/19 Chisinau, Botanica District. The voter did not find himself on the voters’ lists, although he has his domicile within the respective polling station, he was included on the additional lists.
• PS 1/262 Chisinau, Durlesti. Five voters were included on additional lists because they were not on the main lists. They are in the SIAS Elections system, but the street number is not mentioned.

Photographing of the ballot paper, other violations of the secret of voting (dispaying the ballot with the vote cast, defective location of the voting booths that makes it possible to see the voter’s option, etc.) – 2 cases

• PS 34/3, Telenesti. At 9.30 a voter photographed the ballot.
• PS 1/302, Chisinau, Stauceni. After voting, a voter photographed the ballot. At the request of PEB members, the photo was deleted.

Acts of violence or intimidation of voters or other persons – 1 case.

PS 5/2, Bessarabeasca. The observer of a competitor behaved aggressively towards the PEB members because the video camera was disconnected after filming the opening procedures in the PS.

Failure of power supply – 2 cases.

• PS 32/23, Stefan Voda, Viisoara. At 11:53, a power cut in the PS was reported. The voters are registered by the operators manually on a piece of paper. As a result, a line of about 15 people was formed.
• PS 32/22, Stefan Voda, Purcari. At 11:53, a power cut in the PS was reported. The voters are registered by the operators manually on a piece of paper. As a result, a line was formed.

Ballot boxes have not been secured in compliance with the legal procedures / broken / deteriorated or absence of seals on the ballot boxes – 7 cases.

• PS 11/24, Cimislia, Gura Galbenei. Initially, the mobile ballot box was not secured, the seal was applied only at the time of departure (approximately at 10 o’clock). 74 requests for voting at the place of residence were registered.
• PS 4/3, Anenii Noi. Two of the 3 stationary ballot boxes were secured with only 3 seals.
• PS 1/91 Chisinau, Buiucani District. The stationary ballot boxes were secured with only 3 seals. The PEB president reasoned that there are not enough seals.
• PS 4/40, Anenii Noi, Varnita. One of the stationary ballot boxes was not sealed, being kept near the chair of the PEB president.
• PS 4/10, Anenii Noi, Bulboaca. There are 3 ballot boxes that are not sealed (kept under the desk of PEB members).
• PS 4/10, Anenii Noi, Bulboaca. There are 3 ballot boxes that are not sealed (kept under the desk of PEB members).

PS 1/290 Chisinau. Budesti. There are three stationary ballot boxes in the PS, but only one was sealed.

Non-compliant use of ballot papers – 1 case.

• PS 1/108 Chisinau, Buiucani District. A voter tore the ballot and then introduced it into the ballot box. Following this incident, he had a tough talk with PEB members. The PEB president prepared a report on the case.

Other incidents – 2 cases

• PS 1/234, Chisinau, Riscani District. A person claimed to be representative of Accent TV and asked to see the list of voters, who had requested to vote at the place of residence in the 1st round. Given that the PEB did not have the list, the representative of a competitor (from the PS) submitted a complaint against the actions of the PEB president, demanding to draw up the respective list and to ensure the citizens who requested to vote at the place of residence with the right to vote (requests submitted before the first round).
• PS 1/299, Chisinau, Stauceni. PEB members have already filled in some rubrics of the vote counting report and signed it, and will eventually include the figures.

The press release is made as part of the Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019 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.

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 point of view of the funders or partners. The content of this document may be subject to editorial review.

For more details, please contact:

Inga Stegarescu, Communication Officer of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019. GSM 069269684, e-mail: [email protected]

November 3, 2019
Time: 9:30

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20 (November 3) 2019 informs that by 9.00 am the Mission has received from its observers 31 incident reports. The present press release includes 12 incidents processed by the central team of Promo-LEX Mission by this time.

With regard to the opening of the polling stations for the second round of general local elections, the Promo-LEX Observation Mission finds:

Deficient opening of the polling station – 1 case.

• PS 1/113 Chisinau, Center District. The video recording camera and laptop have been stored in the second safe in the PS, which cannot be opened because the key broke when opening it. The assistance of technical experts was requested, but the problem could not be solved until 7:30. The operators are recording voters’ data manually on a sheet of paper.

Presence of advertising materials, posters, electoral panels within the polling station (100 meters from the polling station) – 6 cases.

• PS 1/264 Chisinau, Durlesti. Electoral leaflets have not been removed from electoral display, located 20-30 m away from the polling station.
• PS 1/248, Chisinau, Riscani District. An advertising poster has been noticed within 100 m from the PS.
• PS 1/249, Chisinau, Riscani District. An electoral display has been noticed within 100 m from the PS.
• PS 1/247, Chisinau, Riscani District. An electoral display has been noticed at a distance of about 70 m from the PS.
• PS 10/15, Causeni, Chircaiești. Electoral posters of a candidate have been noticed on a pillar within 100 m of the PS.
• PS 1/136 Chisinau, Center District. A PEB member, being inside the PS, had a bag with the emblem of an electoral competitor.

Ballot boxes have not been secured in compliance with the legal procedures / broken / deteriorated or absence of seals on the ballot boxes – 9 cases.

• PS 1/14 Chisinau, Botanica District. Ballot boxes have been secured with only 3 seals. The PEB president reasoned that he did not have enough seals and that the others will be used to secure the sacks. (The PS received 10 seals).
• PS 1/6 Chisinau, Botanica District. Ballot boxes have been secured with only 2 seals, because the number of seals received is insufficient.
• PS 1/24 Chisinau, Botanica District. Ballot boxes have been secured with only 2 seals. The president did not provide any reason in this regard.
• PS 1/17 Chisinau, Botanica District. Ballot boxes have been secured with only 2 seals, because the number of seals received is insufficient.
• PS 31/20 Soldanesti, Glingeni. The stationary ballot box has been secured with 3 only seals.
• PS 1/194, Chisinau, Ciocana District. There are three stationary ballot boxes in the polling station, but only one has been secured. The PEB president motivated it by the fact that only one ballot box is mentioned in the written protocol for the opening of the PS.
• PS 1/253, Chisinau, Riscani District. Ballot boxes have not been properly secured. Three seals were used to secure two boxes. The PEB president motivated it by the fact that he did not receive sufficient seals from the CEC.
• PS 1/230, Chisinau, Riscani District. Ballot boxes have been secured with only 3 seals each because the PS received few seals from the CEC.
• PS 1/229, Chisinau, Riscani District. Ballot boxes have not been properly secured. Three seals were used to secure two boxes. The PEB president motivated it by the fact that he did not receive sufficient seals from the CEC.

Interruption of the shooting process at the opening of the PS – 3 cases.

• PS 1/133, Chisinau, Center District. The camcorder was not working at 06:50.
• PS 34/1, Telenesti. The camcorder does not work.
• PS 1/23 Chisinau, Botanica District. PEB members did not turn on the camcorder when performing opening operations.

Electoral or adverse campaigning within 100 m and / or in the precinct of the polling station to influence the voters’ choice – 2 cases

• PS 1/299, Chisinau, Stauceni. When entering the PS, a voter was approached by a competitor’s observer and provided details about the candidate he represented.
• PS 1/154 Chisinau, Center District. There was a case of electoral campaigning in favor of a candidate within about 60 m from the PEB. A person was standing near the entrance to the polling station and urging people to vote for a certain The PEB president announced the police about the case and asked to take the necessary measures.

Deficiencies in the operation of SIAS Elections System (suspension of operation; situations when SIAS Elections system indicates that the voter voted while he claims not to) – 5 cases.

• PS 18/67, Florești, Varvareuca. There was no Internet connection in the PS at least until 6.57 am.
• PS 34/1, Telenesti. There was no Internet connection in the PS after the opening of the polling station.
• PS 1/283 Chisinau, Bacioi. The Internet connection was interrupted. SIAS Elections operators registers the voters on a piece of paper.
• PS 1/27 Chisinau, Botanica District. At 08.25 am, SIAS Elections stopped working for about 15 minutes, the voters waited until the problem was solved.
• PS 1/154 Chisinau, Center District. When the polling station opened, there was no Internet connection. Technical assistance was requested.

Photographing of the ballot paper, other violations of the secret of voting (dispaying the ballot with the vote cast, defective location of the voting booths that makes it possible to see the voter’s option, etc.) – 3 cases

• PS 1/194, Chisinau, Ciocana District. A voter photographed the ballot after voting. PEB members reprimanded him. The ballot was not canceled.
• PS 1/7 Chisinau, Botanica District. A PEB member sat behind the voting booths, the president was announced, the member was directed elsewhere.
• PS 32/2, Stefan Voda. Voting booths are positioned so that incoming and outgoing voters can see the voting in the booth.

Failure of power supply – 2 cases.

• PS 1/253, Chisinau, Riscani District. At 06:55, it was found that there is no electricity in the PS. The PEB president requested professional assistance.
• PS 1/252, Chisinau, Riscani District. At 06:55, a power cut was reported for about 5-10 min. The PEB president called the technicians and they solved the problem.

The press release is made as part of the Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019 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.

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 point of view of the funders or partners. The content of this document may be subject to editorial review.

For more details, please contact:
Inga Stegarescu, Communication Officer of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019. GSM 069269684, e-mail: [email protected]

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission presented today, November 1, 2019, its Monitoring Report No. 6 for the general local elections and the new parliamentary elections of October 20 (November 3), 2019. The Report provides  the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Mission for the period subjected to monitoring  (21-30 October 2019), the main observations being uncertainty with regard to the start of the second round election campaign, decrease in the number of campaign activities, as well as  lack of transparency in the publishing  of information on the resolution of electoral disputes.

Less electoral activities along with misuse of administrative resources

Even though the number of campaign activities in the second round of local elections has been reduced reaching 92 activities, the Promo-LEX OM still finds situations that can be qualified as offering of goods in the electoral campaign, misuse of administrative resources, claiming merits for the projects implemented at public expense, as well as use of  public office in promoting an electoral competitor.

Thus, the Mission identified at least four cases, involving the PDM candidates that can be qualified as offering of goods in the electoral campaign (providing road repair services, food, money and clothing).

The Mission reported four situations that can be described as misuse of administrative resources: three electoral meetings held in state institutions during working hours (1 – the PDM and 2 – ACUM); a case (ACUM), which can be described as use of the public office in promoting an electoral competitor.

Other campaign activities that can be qualified as deviation from the legal norm refer to claiming merits for the projects implemented at public expense (3 cases – the PSRM); promoting candidates involving the image of personalities from abroad (3 – ACUM); use of electoral advertising in violation of legal provisions (15).

It should be mentioned that most candidates competing in the second round of mayoral elections in 384 constituencies have been nominated by the PSRM (179), the PDM (176) and ACUM Electoral Bloc (169). In terms of direct confrontation, in most constituencies, “the battle” will be held between candidates nominated by the PDM and the PSRM (63), followed by the PDM – ACUM Electoral Block (57), as well as the PSRM – ACUM Electoral Bloc (48).

The Observation Mission finds actions aimed at undermining the transparency of the election campaign funding

Following the civic monitoring activity, the Promo-LEX OM found that 4 electoral competitors (the PSRM, ACUM, PDM, Victor Sau (I.C)) failed to fully reflect the expenses incurred in the period between 21- 25 October, 2019. The total estimated unreported amount is of at least 20,063 lei.

Only 6 competitors reported revenues of 190,589 lei. They account for financial donations of 3 natural persons in the amount of 11,720 lei for 3 competitors (the USB, MPSN, PAD); own means – transfers from the current account of three political parties to the electoral fund account (the PDM, PPS, ACUM) in the amount of 178,869 lei.

At the same time, 14 competitors reported remaining resources in the initial balance, reaching a total of 2,238,991 lei. Of 16 competitors that submitted reports, 10 competitors reported expenses of 1,255 069 lei, declaring a final balance of 1,174,504 lei. The major share of declared expenses accounts for advertising – 1,139,554 lei (71%); promotional materials – 408,321 lei (26%); transportation – 38,550 lei (2%); other expenses -17,849 lei (1%).
Suspicions of artificial voter migration before the second round

There are reasonable suspicions with regard to artificial migration of citizens in the context of the general local elections of October 20, 2019. Having analyzed the official data on the internal turnover of citizens for the period of 19.08.2019 – 10.10.2019, contrary to the common practice specific to the majority of level I ATUs, there were at least 3 applications for registration of residence, as well as some requests for the registration of domicile in at least 29 settlements.

Also, in at least one settlement where the second round of elections will be held, observers identified seven notifications from different level II ATUs about registration of people’s domicile on one and the same day.

Promo-LEX warns about the lack of transparency in the activity of the CEC

As of October 3, 2019, the Commission has not published on its webpage any appeals / complaints, which makes it difficult for the Mission and for the general public to analyze the submitted appeals/complaints and the solutions issued with regard to them.

In 19% of the ECs I and 31% of the PEBs, visited by Promo-LEX observers, their offices were closed during the working hours.

The Promo-LEX OM emphasizes the existence of cases of delay in the examination of requests for recounting of votes, lack of clear legal provisions with regard to the request and admission of recounting, delayed recounting of votes, which may affect the smooth conduct of the second round of the general local elections.

Electoral competitors continue to generate discriminatory messages

Based on the information reported by the monitors, the OM found at least five cases in which electoral competitors generated discriminatory messages or displayed other forms of intolerance in the public space, of which: the PN have been involved in three situations, and ACUM Bloc in two situations.

On the other hand, the OM identified at least three cases, where competitors were targeted by hate speech – two cases referring to the PSRM candidate – Ion Ceban and a case, targeting the candidate of ACUM Bloc – Andrei Nastase.

Cumulating the criteria underlying hate speech cases, we note that five of them are based on prejudices against mentally challenged people, four cases involve denigration and dehumanization, which are based on political affiliation of electoral candidates, intolerance of LGBT people and prejudices for religious beliefs account for one case each.

The full report can be accessed here.

The Observation Mission of October 20, 2019 General Local Elections 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.

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