European observers unveil preliminary conclusions on presidential elections in Moldova

Chisinau, 1 November /MOLDPRES/- The electoral process has been managed in a transparent way, but some legal provisions need to be adjusted in order to be made to the international standards. Experts of the Election Observation Mission within the European Network of Election Monitoring Organisations (ENEMO) made the conclusion today. They unveiled preliminary conclusions as regards the presidential elections in Moldova.

Head of Election Observation Mission Peter Novotny recommended revision of the legal framework as regards providing equitable participation for all candidates in electoral race, especially, for the independent ones. “Presently, the electoral legislation is leaving room for preferential conditions to the above-mentioned candidates as regards financing campaign, as well as contradictory terms for registration of candidates and beginning of the election campaign. This led to the situation when the electoral contenders started the election campaign in a different time,” Novotny said.

Expert Dritan Taulla said the complaints occurring in the Central Election Commission (CEC) had been considered openly, and the decisions had not been adopted by unanimous vote. “At the same time, the Electoral Code does not see clear regulations on different issues of financing the campaign of candidates, and the earlier adopted CEC decisions did not present sufficient legal argument on imposing a sanction. However, the procedural irregularities did not have a negative impact on the general electoral process,” Taulla said.

The mission started activity on 9 October 2016. At the same time, ten observer teams for short term have been formed to monitor the first round of elections of 30 October. The experts will monitor the runoff too.

CEC accredited over 3,700 national and international observers for direct election of Moldovan president.