On August 15, the Promo-LEX Association launched its Observation Mission (OM) for the new General Local and Parliamentary Elections of October 20, 2019, making public its first Report on the monitoring of the inter-election period, as well as the pre-election period between 18 June – 14 August 2019.
The Promo-LEX election observation methodology has been developed on the basis of international standards in the field and involves both long-term and short-term observation. Thus, in this Observation Mission, Promo-LEX will present 5 intermediate election observation reports and a final report. Additionally, on the Election Day, the Association will issue press releases on the conduct of the elections, results of parallel vote-counting in the municipalities of Chisinau, Balti and Comrat and the evaluation of correctness of electoral processes on the election day based on a representative sample.
The first Promo-LEX OM Report contains the main findings and trends identified in the pre-election/ election period of October 20, 2019 elections.
Although the pre-election period was marked by uncertainties with regard to the date of the general local elections, the principle of stability of electoral law, was basically respected. However, the Promo-LEX OM considers that the approval in the final reading and the possible entry into force of the draft law no. 36 of 29.03.2019 for the modification of some legislative acts at the beginning of the electoral period may create uncertainties and difficulties in organizing and conducting the local elections.
Promo-LEX OM also points out some important issues that remain unsettled in the context of local elections: the lack of a legal mechanism to prevent the “artificial migration of voters”, voting of citizens that do not have a permanent place of residence or domicile, electoral bodies’ compliance with the provisions of Electoral Code in the context of issuing absentee voting certificates to voters, etc.
Furthermore, in legal terms, independent candidates are treated unequally, as compared to those designated by political parties and electoral blocks, as only they are required to collect signatures on subscription lists.
It is a priority for the Promo-LEX Observation Mission to monitor the financing of electoral campaign. In this regard, Promo-LEX will compare the expenses electoral competitors report to the CEC and the lower electoral bodies with the activities and expenses estimated following the civic observation.
Likewise, the OM will also monitor the use of hate speech by participants in the elections. Based on the monitored sources of information, the Association identifies cases of hate speech, the subjects that resort to hate speech in their electoral messages and those affected by this type of discrimination.
We remind the reader that the purpose of the Observation Mission is to inform the public about the conduct of the campaign, as well as to increase the citizens’ confidence in the electoral processes, to contribute to ensuring free and fair elections, carried out in accordance with international standards and national legislation. Promo-LEX remains the only non-governmental organization in the country that carries out an immense monitoring effort, delegating over 700 observers to settlements in the country, as well as to some PSs established abroad.
The full version of Report No. 1 can be accessed here.
The Observation Mission of October 20, 2019 General Local Elections is carried out by the Promo-LEX Association with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Democracy, Transparency and Accountability Program.
For more information, please contact:
Inga Stegarescu, Promo-LEX Association Press Officer
GSM: 069 26 96 84;
E-mail: [email protected]