The June 19 runoff elections in Moldova provided equitable conditions for contestants and were characterized by respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, but the second rounds also confirmed the need for further reforms to consolidate progress, observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) concluded in a statement issued on June 20, Info-Prim Neo reports. “These local elections demonstrated continued progress in establishing an environment conducive to the conduct of democratic elections,” said Gerald Mitchell, the Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission. “However, focused efforts are required to address some outstanding issues, such as improving voter registration and the regulation of finances in the election context.” The observer mission noted that the competitive campaign environment offered voters distinct political alternatives to choose from. The aggregation and publication of preliminary results was transparent and efficient, in a considerable improvement over the first round. According to the preliminary report of the OSCE/ODIHR Mission, the Central Election Commission continued to work collegially and impartially. A last-minute decision to remove curtains from voting booths was annulled by the Supreme Court and led to inconsistent practices on election day, at times compromising the secrecy of the vote. Contestants did not fully comply with campaign finance regulations, underscoring the need for better oversight and enforcement mechanisms. The ODIHR's Limited Election Observation Mission to the local elections in Moldova included 11 experts deployed to supervise the elections in Chisinau and 14 long-term observers who worked in different regions of the country.