The president of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Iurie Ciocan said the over 400,000 signatures collected by the initiative group of the Platform “Dignity and Truth” for initiating a constitutional referendum pressed the government to react. He made such a statement in the program “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.
“The Platform “Dignity and Truth” collected an enormous number of signatures. Even if the initiative to hold a referendum was rejected, these signatures had an effect. The first matter, concerning the direct election of the President, was solved by the Constitutional Court. Also, Parliament already initiated the procedure for amending the Constitution and annulling the parliamentary immunity. The resolution of this issue by parliamentary ways is cheaper. Referendums should be held only when the authorities do not react,” stated the Commission’s president.
Iurie Ciocan maintained that the CEC acted in accordance with the law when it rejected the initiative to hold a constitutional referendum. “The necessary 20,000 signatures were collected in only four districts. In some of the districts, there were collected by 100-200 signatures fewer. We organized a number of training seminars for representatives of the initiative group of the Platform “Dignity and Truth” with money from the CEC’s budget. The external partners consider we acted correctly. We had discussions with ambassadors working in Chisinau and we were supported. The Western diplomats will never support an institution that committed illegalities,” he said.
Asked about the decision of the Platform “Dignity and Truth” to stage a protest against the CEC’s decision to reject the initiative to hold the referendum, Iurie Ciocan said the members and supporters of the Platform enjoy the right to protest.
