CEC head: All polling stations in Moldova opened without incidents

Chisinau, Oct 20 /MOLDPRES/- At 7.00 a.m., all polling stations across the country, including the 30 opened for the residents of the left bank of the Dniester, started their work without incidents. The information was presented by the president of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), Angelica Caraman, during a press briefing. She assured that "the institution has met all the conditions for the conduct of the elections, so that every citizen can freely exercise his right to vote".

Angelica Caraman specified that today is an important day for Moldova and democracy.

"Citizens are urged to express their right to vote. The action represents our common commitment to such values as freedom and democracy. Through voting we have the chance to contribute to a prosperous society. The CEC has taken all necessary steps to ensure that the electoral process is conducted in a secure and transparent manner. The Commission will strictly monitor the election process. At the same time, we urge all citizens to obtain information only from reliable sources. Let us not forget that every vote counts", said Angelica Caraman.

"Citizens will receive two ballot papers. The first one on the election of the President of the Republic of Moldova, and the second one is aimed at expressing their choice in the republican constitutional referendum. The basic electoral lists include 2 714 239 voters. Citizens are expected to go to the 2 219 polling stations, of which 1 988 are open on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, including 30 stations for the inhabitants of the left bank of the Dniester. Another 231 polling stations are open abroad, in 37 countries, for diaspora voters, three of which are dedicated to postal voting," said Angelica Caraman.

Regarding the polling stations set up abroad, the CEC head noted that the voting process started at 07:00 local time with no reported problems. "Polling stations abroad will be open until 21:00 (local time in each state). Thus, the voting process is underway in Japan, where traditionally the first voter has also voted. Voting is also already underway in 36 polling stations in China, India, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the State of Israel, the Russian Federation, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania," said Caraman.

More than 7.3 million ballot papers were printed for these elections, of which 1.7 million were distributed to polling stations abroad. For the first time, ballot papers were also printed in the languages of national minorities, including Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Gagauz, Russian and Romani.

Throughout the day, citizens can get information directly from the platform: pv.cec.md about the turnout.