Council of Europe raises concerns with Moldova before parliamentary elections

A delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), who paid a visit to Moldova to assess the election campaign, condemned intimidation and violence against candidates enrolled in the 24 February parliamentary race. PACE representatives also cautioned the Chisinau government to ensure there are sufficient polling stations abroad to facilitate overseas voting.

Political parties and candidates in the February 24 parliamentary elections generally have the opportunity to run their campaign freely, the PACE delegation said. However, European officials say they have been informed “about more persistent concerns that remain unsolved.”

“In particular, cases of intimidation and violence against candidates; cases of hate speech, including against women candidates; cases of misuse of administrative resources; allegations of vote buying; cases of involvement of public employees in the signature collection procedure; cases of distribution of electoral gifts during election campaign events involving charitable foundations associated with certain political parties.”

At the same time, “the delegation found that the technical aspects of election organization are properly managed by the Central Electoral Commission, even if the new electoral system and the organization of the referendum require further clarification.”

Referring to the decision of the authorities to open polling stations abroad, the PACE delegation said that the transparency issues surrounding overseas voting “can not be solved by increasing the number of ballot papers assigned to each polling station if the number and location of polling stations is not in proportion to the voters living in different countries”.

In a press release the delegates said that “PACE has observed all the parliamentary and presidential elections organized in Moldova since 1994”.

“Unfortunately, some recurring problems have not yet been resolved. Moreover, future elections will be conducted on the basis of a new electoral system that contravenes the previous recommendations made by the Venice Commission. For these reasons, the delegation asks the relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure citizens’ right to free elections in line with the international commitments made by the Republic of Moldova. “

A Delegation of the 32-member Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will return to the Republic of Moldova to observe the elections of 24 February.