Moldovan foreign ministry's comments on organising runoff of presidential elections at polling stations from abroad

Chisinau, 14 November /MOLDPRES/- Referring to the organisation of runoff of presidential elections at the polling stations from abroad, the Foreign and European Integration Ministry (MAEIE) comes with the following specifications:

The MAEIE, as an authority of the central public administration, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Code, is responsible for providing support through the diplomatic missions and consular offices in setting up polling stations for citizens residing abroad.

The Electoral Code sets the conditions for setting up polling stations abroad, being established two basic requirements in identifying settlements for opening polling stations and namely the prior registration of citizens residing abroad and number of voters who participated in previous elections.

Given the two criteria, and taking into account the specifics of national legislation in the states where polling stations had been opened outside diplomatic missions and consular offices, the MAEIE came up with a proposal to set up 100 polling stations abroad, of which 60 outside diplomatic missions, the highest number of polling stations abroad established so far (by 5 more than in 2014 and 25 more than in 2010).

In accordance with the 2 November decision by the Central Election Commission (CEC) as regards organization of the runoff of presidential elections, the runoff was organized and held in the same conditions like the first round of elections (with the same councils and election offices, same electoral rolls).

At the same time, to facilitate the access to voting and to provide best conditions jointly with CEC it was decided to increase the number of members of election offices up to the maximum ceiling set by the law – 11 members and increase in circulation of ballot papers for the polling stations opened abroad – 3,000, the maximum quantity set by the Electoral Code.

In this context, the MAEIE informs that for the runoff 288,850 ballot papers were received by the 100 polling stations from abroad, up by 6.4 per cent against in the first round (270,349 ballot papers), of which about 153,135 ballot papers (53 per cent) have not been used under the preliminary data by CEC.

Also, the MAEIE jointly with the Diaspora Relations Bureau via diplomatic missions and consular offices made efforts to inform citizens about the list of opened polling stations  and directing to the nearest polling stations.

The procedures of the runoff on election day were carried out calmly and orderly. At the same time, the polling stations with higher voter turnout than legal limits of capacities of stations were provided with public order, as well as were told about legal procedures on way of submitting complaints. According to the Electoral Code, the contestations are considered by electoral bodies by respecting their hierarchy.

Also, while transporting the electoral indictment to the polling stations No 382 Lisbon and 385 Setubal, for technical reasons, the diplomatic bag failed to be delivered in time. Thus, in order not to jeopardize the good development of elections, the MAEIE asked the CEC for printing a new edition. In the evening of 12 November, secure transmission of the diplomatic bag was ensured, which guaranteed the citizens’ right to vote at the two polling stations. Additionally, an investigation into service is under development in order to set all circumstances which led to such situation.

The MAEIE, in the context of high number of polling stations organized abroad, ordered involvement of the entire staff of diplomatic missions and consular offices, and increase in employees of the central apparatus of the MAEIE. In this respect, we convey appreciation and contribution to this electoral exercise for Moldovan community members who efficiently collaborated with representatives of the Diplomatic Service for organizing the presidential elections.

At the same time, under the powers of the ministry, along with other actors involved in, the MAEIE will order to thoroughly consider the requests from Moldovans by properly informing petitioners.