International observers say presidential polls' runoff well-organized in Moldova

Chisinau, 14 November /MOLDPRES/ – The presidential election runoff in Moldova was organized according to international standards and the fundamental freedoms were respected. The statements were made today in Chisinau by the international observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA).

Simultaneously, the international observers criticized the insufficient ballot papers in some polling stations abroad, but also at the ones in Moldova, for citizens from Transnistria.

The head of the European Parliament’s Delegation Igor Soltes mentioned at a press conference that "some concrete steps should be taken to facilitate voting by all Moldovan citizens who live abroad."

"There was information on Moldovans who traveled long distances to reach the nearest polling stations, but due to the long lines and lack of ballot papers in some polling stations, they could not to vote. The authorities in charge for this matter must learn the lessons out of it and have to consider all options, including electronic voting procedure," said the European official.

At his part, PACE representative Elizabeth Schneider-Schneiter, said that "yesterday, similar to two weeks before, Moldovan citizens made their choice in a free way and the voting procedure was very well organized," the observer said.

The international mission monitoring the presidential election in Moldova was made up of the European Parliament, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of OSCE, PACE and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly representatives.