The second report by Promo-LEX’s Observation Mission for the October 20 election identified cases in which electoral gifts were distributed and money was promised to voters, IPN reports. The political bloc “Victory” distributed backpacks and school supplies to students from socially deprived families and offered wheelchairs to some of the people. The “Future of Moldova” Party used the services of unauthorized persons to collect signatures in support of the designated candidate.
Promo-LEX also identified 13 cases of misuse of administrative resources by various political groups and local authorities. The ruling party, PAS, was involved in eight cases. The electoral bloc “Together” and the political bloc “Victory” were involved in the use of educational resources and the organization of events for political purposes, as well as the presentation of donations as being made by the party.
Between August 20 and September 8, at least 40 cases of hate speech and other forms of intolerance were identified. Most cases were spread through social media (19 cases) and mobile apps (10 cases). Most often, hate speech was based on political affiliation (12 cases), sexual orientation/gender identity (8 cases) and sex/gender (6 cases).
As for the organization of polling stations, Promo-LEX considers that although the number of polling stations for voters on the left bank of the Nistru was reduced from 41 (in 2021) to 30 (this year), access to voting in general will not be affected. The freedom to vote remains a problem. Previous observation experience showed that countering and penalizing the organized transportation of voters and also possible cases of corruption are among the main challenges.
In the context of the constitutional referendum, the electoral campaign seems to have started ahead of schedule, in violation of the legal provisions, with multiple promotional activities with electoral overtones including sponsored posts and distribution of informative materials, Promo-LEX noted.
Promo-LEX’s Mission to observe the presidential election and the constitutional referendum of August 20 will cover the entire electoral period, including election day.
