Moldovan electoral body discusses organization of elections abroad in conditions of pandemic

Chisinau, 22 July /MOLDPRES/ - The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) today considered issues on the organization of the presidential elections in the polling stations from abroad, in the conditions of the coronavirus pandemic.   

According to the CEC’s press release, at a working meeting, the Commission members discussed the organization of the presidential polls due on 1 November in the conditions when the states prepare for the second wave of COVID-19.   

The CEC members reiterated the need of consultation, through diplomatic missions, of the authorities of the residence countries as to the conditions of the ballot’s organization, if emergency state is established on the territory of the states, because of the pandemic triggered by the new-type coronavirus.    

In particular, it is about considering possibilities of opening polling stations outside Moldova’s diplomatic missions and consular offices.   

It is worth mentioning that, according to the legal provisions, the polling stations from abroad are set up by CEC, by 35 days ahead of the polls at the latest, with the preliminary approval by the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry (MAEIE), based on the number of voters who participated in the previous ballot, organized in the national district, based on the preliminary registration of Moldova’s citizens, as well as based on the information got by MAEIE from the competent authorities of the residence countries where Moldovan citizens are settled regarding their number and place of stay.