The Election Observation Mission of Promo-LEX Association identified at least two cases of organized transportation of voters in the mayoral runoffs in Chisinau municipality, at a polling place in Botanica district and at another one in the suburban village Tohatin. The observers reported cases of violation of the secrecy of the ballot and deficiencies in the electoral registers, IPN reports.
The Mission’s head Pavel Postica told a news conference that the observers identified the first cases of group voting in Rascani district and in Bacioi commune. In both of the cases, two women voted concomitantly with their husbands, arguing they need to help each other.
The observers identified more cases of unjustified presence of unauthorized persons inside polling places and within 50 meters of these. These were mainly representatives or sympathizers of parties, who hold particular public posts and could be thus easily identified.
According to Pavel Postica, there was reported an alleged case of offering of money awards. An observer of Promo-LEX ascertained a discussion between electoral functionaries at polling place No. 57 in Botanica district. These said that a number of voters living on the same bystreet, who came to the same polling place, related they would be paid if they voted for a particular electoral contender. The situations are to be investigated.
The Association’s observers also identified 12 cases of deficiencies in electoral registers, mainly inclusion of persons who no longer live at the indicated address. There were reported isolated cases of presence of dead persons on the voter rolls, non-correspondence of the domicile or situations when the voters weren’t included in the automated information system “Elections” as well as photographing of ballots and online campaigning, on at least six portals. This was information placed earlier and broadcast again on the election day.
The voter turnout in Chisinau municipality was over 24% at 3pm. This is over 154,000 voters. There is no minimum turnout of voters required for the runoff vote. The candidate who gains the largest number of votes emerges victorious.
