About 2,300 video cameras to be set up in polling stations at parliamentary elections

Chisinau, 14 November /MOLDPRES/- About 2,300 video cameras are to be installed in the polling stations at the parliamentary elections on 24 February 2019. The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) today approved a draft specification, which will be used for the acquisition of technical equipment.

CEC head Alina Russu said that the current specification comprises the technical features of the devices. "The cameras will be installed in each polling station. They will record the ballot boxes and ballot counting procedure. The technical devices will have a built-in microphone, which will also allow audio recording," she said.

Russu noted that video images will not be transmitted online, but will be stored and archived. "Installing cameras will increase transparency during voting. At the same time, the video system must not encroach on secret of voting. The goal of installing devices is to secure and improve operations at polling stations,” she said.

The amount needed to purchase cameras is about 12 million lei.

Last week, during a meeting with CEC members, Prime Minister Pavel Filip proposed to examine the possibility of installing cameras in polling stations to ensure a free, fair and transparent electoral process. The premier confirmed the willingness of the government and State Chancellery to help provide necessary space for arranging polling stations. Also, the official asked to be provided cyber security, and the Elections information system has fully operational communication channels.

In 2019, two national electoral campaigns will take place: on 24 February - parliamentary elections, organized for the first time under a mixed system, and after 14 June - general local elections. Parliamentary elections require 110.2 million lei, while the local one - 139.9 million lei.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor M. Jantovan)