Promo-Lex Observation Mission of the Presidential Election of 13 November 2016 presented the preliminary results of the election, calculated on the basis of the reports received via SMS messages from the network of 1981 observers across the country and 36 observers delegated in polling stations from abroad. The final results from the Parallel Vote Tabulation are to be submitted within the next 72 hours, after the manual verification and review of the original minutes received from Promo-LEX observers in the polling stations.
According to the minutes, Promo-LEX counted 1,551,915 voters who have been issued ballot papers. Of them, 1,474,216 voters voted in the country, and 77,699 voters voted abroad in the 36 PS where observers were delegated. The data on the voter turnout of 13 November 2016 state that the higher voter turnout was registered between 10.00 and 12.00 pm, and the chart of final results on voter turnout also show that the voting process was continuous and uninterrupted.
At the same time, Promo-LEX Mission finds that in 11 polling stations from abroad all the 3000 ballots papers distributed to a polling station were over, while in other 7 polling stations, the number of ballots papers used were closing worrying to 3000.
Preliminary results from the Parallel Vote Tabulation, carried out by Promo-LEX, calculated on the basis of the information received from the 2017 PS monitored, show the following:
Igor Dodon – 55.5% (826,178 votes)
Maia Sandu – 44.5 % (712,189 votes)
Information from Promo-LEX observers on the quality of the vote tabulation after the closing of polling stations shows the following:
- special forms for counting the voting results were developed in 1892 PS, 250 PS did not develop such forms;
- in 2009 PS the seals on ballot boxes were intact before their opening for counting and in 8 PS the seals were not intact;
- in 1755 PS only one EOPS member distribute the ballot papers to all participants to the tabulation process, and in 261 PS this rule was violated;
- in 2014 PS the boxes with ballot papers sent to constituencies were sealed, and in 3 PS they were not sealed;
- in 1986 PS the police were present and guarded the transportation of ballots papers to the constituency, and in 31 PS the police were not present (the most of these PS were abroad);
- in 55 PS the unjustified presence of unauthorized persons was noted inside or within 50 m from the PS, and in 1962 PS there was no unauthorized persons;
- Observers found at least 3601 complaints submitted by the voters until the end of the election day, of which at least 569 were submitted abroad.
Promo-LEX Mission also calculated that in all 30 polling stations where the voters from Transnistria could vote, a maximum of 17,613 voters voted in the Eastern rayons of the Republic of Moldova.
Parallel Vote Tabulation is a method used to check the election results, which consists in processing qualitative and quantitative information of the minutes produced by the Electoral Offices of the Polling Stations (EOPS), in the context of monitoring elections at the national level during the election day (e-day) and the next period until the entire information from minutes is processed.
Promo-LEX Observation Mission consists of 42 long-term observers who monitor the electoral process in all constituencies of the Republic of Moldova during 31 August – 30 November 2016. On the election day, Promo-LEX delegated a short-term observer in each of the 1981 polling stations opened in the country. Promo-LEX EOM performed the Parallel Vote Tabulation in all polling stations in the country. The Mission monitors the electoral process in 36 polling stations open abroad. The observers involved in the monitoring process signed the Code of Conduct of the Promo-LEX Independent National Observer, assuming the commitment to act efficiently, in good faith and in a non-partisan manner. The activity of all observers is coordinated by a central team consisting of 37 persons.
The activity carried out by Promo-LEX EOM and the “Come to Vote” campaign is currently funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the British Embassy in Chisinau, the National Endowment for Democracy and the Council of Europe. The opinions presented in the public reports of Promo-LEX belong to authors and do not necessarily reflect the donors’ view.
For more details, please contact: Tatiana Pascovschi, Communication Officer of Promo-Lex Election Observation Mission: GSM 060804022, e-mail: [email protected]