Promo-LEX Observation Mission (OM) published today the sixth monitoring report of the presidential election in the Republic of Moldova. The report contains the main findings with regards to opening and closing the polling stations (PSs), the voting process and incidents reported by observers on the election day, as well as an analysis of the outcomes of vote tabulation done by Promo-LEX OM.
On the election day we analysed and published 481 incidents after processing all of the reports received from short-term observers (STO), appointed in the 608 polling stations from the sample, from observers who monitored the 42 polling stations opened for voters from the Transnistrian region and for the diaspora (52 PSs), as well as from observers of the 80 mobile teams.
Promo-LEX OM expresses its concern regarding the 10 cases, at least, of intimidating observers or obstructing the free observation process in polling stations. In addition, Promo-LEX signalled an alarming situation that affects the credibility of the electoral process in PS 29/20 Soroca, Căinarii Vechi, where 200 unused ballot papers were found to be missing.
At the same time, at the first round of the presidential election, about 74% of the 50 cases of organised transportation of voters were reported for the PSs opened for voters from the transnistrian region. Besides, observers reported 59 cases of taking pictures of the ballot papers and other violations of the secrete of vote, 35 cases of deficient operation of “Elections” SAIS and 29 errors in lists of voters. In this context, note that the structure of incident types at the first round of the presidential election was the same as for the parliamentary election of 24 February 2019 (the latest national suffrage).
On the election day, Promo-LEX OM also warned the authorities and other stakeholders about cases of electioneering on the election day (14) and rumors, attempts or even situations of in-kind or cash rewards offered to voters (14).
However, from a quantitative perspective, failure to observe COVID-19 protection and prevention measures was the most frequently reported type incidents on the election day (75 cases). In this context, we believe that for the second round of the election it would be appropriate to add more voting booths in PSs in order to make the flow of voters more efficient, especially in the polling stations with a higher presence of voters.
In addition, given the pandemic and the cold season, Promo-LEX OM draw the attention to the fact that about half (43%) of all PSs monitored during the election day are not heated, which could affect the health of electoral officials and of other persons involved in the organisation and conduct of elections. At the same time, Promo-LEX found that about 265 (38%) of the PSs monitored in the first round of election are not accessible for persons with physical impairments and at least 12 PSs (2%) do not have proper lightening.
With regards to vote counting process, Promo-LEX observers reported that in at least 186 PSs (24%) members of the electoral offices ignored the rule that the ballot papers shall be presented to all participants in the counting process by one single member of the office.
Promo-LEX OM analysed the accuracy of 2,135 Vote Counting Protocols in the presidential election of Moldova (collected by Promo-LEX observers from constituency councils) of the total of 2,143 protocols drafted and found 27 VCPs with errors, on the basis of the verification formulae. The number of protocols with errors increased insignificantly if compared with the general local elections of 2019, but is lower if compared with the presidential election of 2016 and parliamentary election of 2019.
The outcomes of vote tabulation for the presidential election, carried out by Promo-LEX OM on the basis of protocols collected from constituency councils, do not show any significant differences compared with the final data announced by the Central Electoral Commission. However, Promo-LEX OM expresses its concern about the increasing dynamic in the number of voters who cast their votes at their place of stay (domicile or residence) in the Republic of Moldova.
The Observation Mission for the Elections of the President of the Republic of Moldova on 1 November 2020 is conducted by Promo-LEX Association with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) via the ‘Democracy, Transparency and Accountability’ Program, the Good Governance Department of Soros Foundation-Moldova under ‘Monitoring the Presidential Elections of 1 November 2020’ Project, and the Council of Europe under ‘Support for civic observation of 2020 Presidential Election in polling stations abroad’. ‘Hate speech’ component is supported by Justice and Human Rights Department of Soros Foundation-Moldova under ‘Consolidation of a platform for the development of activism and education in the area of human rights in Moldova – stage IV’ Project.
The translation and dissemination of this report was financially supported by the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE), which is financially supported by the European Union and funds by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, including its ifa funding program zivik.
Find the full report here.
If there are any discrepancies between the text in Romanian and its translation, the provisions formulated in Romanian shall prevail.
For more information, please contact:
Inga Stegarescu, Press Officer of Promo-LEX Association
GSM: 069 26 96 84;
E-mail: [email protected].