Moldovan electoral body informs about how 1 November presidential polls are to be held

Chisinau, 23 October /MOLDPRES/ - The leadership of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) today informed about how the 1 November presidential elections are to be carried out during the pandemic.   

At a news conference, CEC head Dorin Cimil, said that, on 1 November, all polling station from Moldova would be endowed with protection equipment and disinfectants and the civil servants will observe all norms imposed by the National Public Health Commission. ‘’The Central Electoral Commission also worked out a regulation due to be observed by the voters, as well as civil servants of the polling stations,’’ Cimil noted.

The CEC head also said that protection equipment worth 8 million lei had been purchased for the presidential ballot for 2,143 polling stations. Protection masks worth 585,000 lei, 320,000 pairs of gloves, 25,000 litres of disinfectant solution for hands, 14,500 litres of disinfectant solution for surfaces, 62,000 visors, 2,300 thermometers and 13,000 protection costumes have been already bought. ‘’Also, the process of procurement of a consignment of masks for voters ends on these days,’’ Cimil added.   

The CEC head reiterated that, based on a decision by the competent authorities, the foreign observers and journalists would be able to enter Moldova, even if they come from red zones. On 1 November, the voters will be obliged to observe the physical distance of at least 1.5 metres, the hygiene rules and come to vote with pens. Those who cannot move to the polling station can vote at the place of their stay by presenting an application to the electoral bureau of the polling station where they are registered. People with symptoms of COVID-19, who will come to polling stations after 15:00, will be supplied with masks and gloves and will vote without contacting with other persons.   

Also, the CEC leadership said that, next week, competent people would totalize the data on the voting procedure in the Diaspora, especially in the states where restrictions were established because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eight candidates, among whom the current head of state, will fight for the office of Moldova’s president on 1 November 2020.