ENEMO observers say electoral process managed efficiently, transparently in Moldova

Chisinau, 12 October /MOLDPRES/ - The electoral process is managed efficiently and transparently and the institutions work intensely, in order to improve the controls concerning the political financing. The members of the international election observation mission (IEOM) of the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO) for the 20 October polls have unveiled conclusions to this effect.      

The head of the ENEMO mission, Dritan Taulla, said that the electoral campaign had been calm; yet, there were infringements to interfere with the electoral process through corrupting voters or by other means; this represents a significant challenge not only for the present elections, but also for the future democratic developments.  

An analyst in the field of elections’ management, Elidon Lamani, said that the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) was presently enjoying the confidence of the political actors; yet, some of them expressed reservations, especially about the CEC’s composition.   

„For the first time, the Moldovan voters who live in six countries have possibility to vote by correspondence. Besides, the Central Electoral Commission set up 231 polling stations for the voters from abroad. Some interlocutors expressed concern about the number of polling stations in Russia and the decisions in this respect were also contested in court. Also, in the legal term, the Central Electoral Commission created 30 polling stations for the voters from Transnistria,’’ the expert said.   

A political analyst, Mariam Chubabria, said that a new Electoral Code had been adopted in Moldova in the last years. ‘’The process of reformation was transparent, in line with a long-term primary recommendation by ENEMO. The Electoral Code was amended seven times since its adoption and three modifications took place in 2024. The new legal framework provides a solid basis for the holding of the elections, in accordance with the international standards,’’ Chubabria noted.   

The experts informed that the general social and political environment of Moldova had been negatively affected by third actors on behalf of foreign countries’ entities or on behalf of people or groups who carry out illegal or negative economic, social and political activities against the democratic institutions and the rule of law. The electoral environment also suffers in the wake of these negative interventions.      

The declaration of the international election observation mission of ENEMO is based on the findings discovered on the period 10 September – 9 October 2024. The mission will stay in Moldova, in order to observe the post-electoral developments, including an eventual runoff election.