Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the Parliamentary Elections of February 24, 2019: new details on the election process

February 24, 2019
Time: 14:00

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the parliamentary elections of February 24, 2019 notes that of the total of 650 incidents, reported by Promo-LEX observers in the period between 9:00 and 14:00, the present press release includes 250 incidents processed by the Analysis Team of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the parliamentary elections of February 24, 2019:

Restricted access or obstruction of free observation in the polling station – 6 cases.

• SMC 36 Stefan Voda. The Promo-LEX Mobile Team, for about an hour, was followed by two cars that were changing periodically, one of which was black, license plate number SV AJ 891.
• PS 29/9 Chisinau, Center. Restriction of observer’s activity until 07:30. The president motivated this by being busy and registered the observers only after 07:30, and then allowed them to observe the voting process.
• PS 27/5 Chisinau, Buiucani. At 9:03, the EBPS president refused to provide the observer data on voting in the constituency, claiming he will provide such data at the end of the day, if needed.
• PS 39/16 Sarata Galbena, Carpineni. Promo-LEX observer was not provided information on the number of voters who had already exercised their voting rights.
• PS 10/5 Balti, Balti. At 9:30, the EBPS president refused to provide the observer with information on the number of voters, who cast their votes in the national constituency and in the single member constituency, respectively. The president claimed the information would be offered at the end of the day, after some time, he said he could offer such information at 15:00.
• PS 50/42 Italy, Roma

The ballot boxes have not been sealed according to legal procedures / broken / damaged or absent seals on ballot boxes – 17 cases.

• PS 21/11 Criuleni, Cimiseni. Stationary ballot boxes have only 2 seals.
• PS 24/21 Anenii Noi, Floreni. Two large seals were applied on a ballot box and the other box was not sealed.
• PS 5/34 Glodeni, Fundurii Noi. At 7:10, only 2 seals were applied on the stationary ballot box. At 7:45, two more seals, kept by the president of the PS, were then applied.
• PS 9/19 Balti. At 7.05 stationary ballot boxes were secured with 3 seals. The EBPS president claimed that they had always secured the box with 3 seals. At 8:05, after the remark made by an observer, the incident was corrected.
• PS 9/29 Balti. Stationary ballot boxes are secured with only one seal. The president of the EBPS does not provide any explanations.
• PS 15/24 Calarasi, Cabaiesti. The ballot boxes were secured with only 2 seals.
• PS 12/21, Singerei, Brejeni. The ballot box was secured with only 3 seals.
• PS 14/1, Telenesti, Telenesti. The ballot boxes were secured with only 2 seals. The EBPS president explained that they did not receive more seals.
• PS 18/5, Orhei, Orhei. At 6:50, in the process of sealing the ballot box, one of the four seals was damaged. The ballot box was lsecured with only 3 seals.
• PS 44/20 Cimislia. Cealic. A ballot box had only 2 seals, and the other 3. The EBPS president explained that they did not receive more seals.
• PS 39/1 Sarata Galbena, Sarata Galbena The stationary ballot boxes are secured only with two seals each.
• PS 40/37 Cimislia. Mihailovca. At 7:02, there were only two seals on the stationary ballot box.
• PS 42/26 Cantemir, Constantinesti. The stationary ballot box was secured with only 3 seals. The EBPS president informed the STO that was the number of seals that they had received.
• PS 42/48 Cantemir, Iujnoe. At 7:00, there are 2 stationary ballot boxes with 2 seals on each. The EBPS president informed the STO that was the number of seals that they had received.
• PS 50/54 United Kingdom, London,
• PS 50/31 Italy, Milano
• PS 46/27 Ceadir-Lunga, Copceac. The stationary ballot box is secured with only 3 seals.  The EBPS president said that was correct.

Lack of the necessary materials in the polling station. At least one of the following materials is missing: electoral rolls, ballot papers, round stamps with electoral office number, stamps marked “Voted”, “canceled”, special stamp “Elections 24.02.2019”, seals for ballot boxes – 1 case.

• PS 37/10 Razeni, Bardar. A voter stole the stamp with the inscription “Voted”. It was detected post factum. For the remaining stamps, security measures were taken, they were tied with a piece of thread. Initially there were 3 “VOTED” stamps, only 2 remained. The EBPS president reported the situation.

Acts of violence or intimidation of voters or other people – 6 cases

• PS 16/33, Ungheni, Sculeni. At 11:01, a representative of the PPS assaulted a voter at a distance of about 80 meters from the polling station. Witnesses and the police intervened.
• PS 30/16 Chisinau, Ciocana. An observer of the PPS stood in front of the ballot box and intimidated the voters. The president of the EBPS reprimanded the observer.
• PS 46/18 Ceadir-Lunga, Baurci. In the period of time between 05-11.30, the independent candidate Cadan Grigorii, entered the PS and made a row, reproaching the EBPS members on grounds that one of them was standing next to the ballot box.
• PS 27/13, Chisinau, Buiucani. From 9:00, the PPS observer has been hindering the activity of the EBPS, commenting on the rules, asking the EBPS president to offer him an interpreter to translate for him into Russian. He claimed the EBPS members have no right to ask voters, if they want to vote with all the four ballots. The observer behaved aggressively.
• PS 50/50 Italy, Udine
• PS 49/07 Israel, Tel Aviv

Rumors, attempts or real cases of material or financial rewards offered to voters in the perimeter and / or near the polling station to influence the voters’ choice – 14 cases

• PS 21/38 Criuleni, Slobozia – Dusca. At around 8:40, after an elderly lady voted and went out of the polling station, another lady, who was an observer representing an unidentified competitor approached her, thanked her, discussed with her for a few minutes, and handed something to her. There are suspicions that it’s a sum of money. The incident was seen through the window. The EBPS president did not react.
• PS 30/16 Chisinau, Ciocana. Material rewards were provided by PPS representatives at a distance of 70 m from the PS. The incident took place at about 9:10 and is in the process of being settled. The president of the polling station called the police.
• PS 21/21 Criuleni, Criuleni – Center. Approximately between 8.30 and 9.00, PDM representatives were giving out some bags with unidentified content. Observers from other parties, as well as a member of the EBPS reacted and told them they had no right to be near the polling station. They moved about 100 m away.
• PS 21/6 Criuleni, Malaiesi. Suspicions of providing material rewards to voters by PPS agitators, approximately from 9.31 to 10.30.
• PS 15/2, Calarasi, Calarasi. At 08:50, outside the polling station (approximately 100 meters away from it), PPS representatives settled in a person’s court yard, they had several bags with full of unknown content. EBPS members announced the police. As a result, they were removed.
• PS 27/16, Chisinau, Buiucani. At 08:50, a voter entered the PS and informed the observer that PPS representatives were giving out gifts (boxes with unidentified content). After the involvement of the EBPS president – they left.
• PS 15/57, Calarasi, Sinesti. At 9:25, outside the PS, PPS representatives were giving out bags with unidentified content.
• PS 13/60 Rezina, Trifesti. At 09:20, at a distance of 50 m from the PS, a representative of the PDM spoke to a voter until the latter entered the PS. The voter entered the PS, voted and left the PS, the DPM representative again talked to him and gave him a bag.
• PS 14/4 Telenesti, Mihalasa. From 9:22, in the vicinity of the PS, a PDM representative discusses with a group of voters, there are reasonable suspicions that this is a situation of material or monetary rewards given to voters after they leave the PS, as the PDM representatives accompany them to a hidden place (after a fence).
• PS 15/55, Calarasi, Radeni. At 09:57, PPS representatives parked two cars in the vicinity of the PS and distributed bags of unknown content to the voters. Although the president of the EBPS was informed, he did not react.
• PS 39/2 Sarata Galbena. Sarata Galbena. A police officer was called at the request of the mayor, to prevent the display of a poster and distributing bags with the logo of the SOR party. The STO heard that there were toys in the bags. There is no other information about the contents of the bags.
• PS 40/45 Cimislia, Topala. The STO heard rumors claiming that in the vicinity of the PS, a PDM representative is consuming alcoholic beverages in a shop together with voters. Having gone to the shop in question, the STO saw a person wearing a symbol of the PDM.
• PS 45/7 Comrat, Comrat. A voter, in a pointed manner, approached the STO and showed him a cash amount (about 500 lei), claiming that he had earned that money by voting. Being asked by the STO who gave him the money, the voter avoided to answer and left the PS.
• PS 44/5 Taraclia, Taraclia. Coming to the PS, ten people informed the STO of the reward proposal that they received from PPS representatives that were near the PS. They offered a reward of 200 lei for each vote in favor of the PPS. This information was not communicated to the EBPS president.
• PS 27/6, Chisinau, Buiucani. Approximately at 10:50, at a distance of 50 meters away from the polling station, a white minibus with the PPS symbol was seen unloading foodstuffs. The driver stated that these foodstuffs should be taken to an apartment.

Electoral campaign or adverse campaigning at the entrance to the PS or inside the PS to influence the voters’ choice – 30 cases

• PS 35/16 Causeni, Causeni. Electoral materials of the PSRM were displayed on the windows and door of the PS. After the notification of BEPS members, the materials were removed.
• PS 22/15 Ialoveni, Danceni. The mayor and one of the counselors were campaigning at the entrance to the polling station, the president of the EBPS reprimanded them and they moved away from the entrance of the PS.
• PS 23/2 Chisinau, Botanica. Electoral posters of the PSRM were displayed in the PS.
• PS 20/1 Straseni, Straseni. Near the door of the polling station, a woman was giving out leaflets of the PSRM. This took place from 7.30 to 8.30. A member of the EBPS reprimanded her and she moved about 40-50 m away from the PS.
• PS 25/8, Chisinau, Botanica. 6 PDM representatives distributed leaflets at the entrance of the PS. The president of the EBPS made an observation, the PDM representatives left.
• PS 9/15, A PPS representative entered the polling station, he was wearing a windbreaker with the symbol of the PPS. The person spoke for 2 minutes with an observer. The PPS representative did not exercise his right to vote in this polling station. The EBPS president did not react to this incident.
• PS 9/13, Balti. At around 8.05, a person holding a bag with the symbol of the PPS, entered the PS. The unauthorized person was in the PS for 1 minute. The EBPS president reacted quickly, excluding the unauthorized person from the PS.
• PS 9/9, Balti. A person entered the PS, holding a folder with the PPS symbol, he greeted the PPS observers. This person did not exercise his right to vote in this PS. The president of the EBPS reprimanded him as soon as he was noticed.
• PS 9/39, Balti. A person wearing the PPS symbol entered the PS. He did not exercise his right to vote in that PS. The EBPS president said he was not campaigning. The person spent in the PS about 5 minutes.
• PS 9/35, Balti. At around 7.37, a voter entered the polling station, wearing accessories with the symbol of the electoral competitor – PPS (a bag and a scarf). An EBPS member reprimanded that voter. The voter responded that he had been told that he could come with these materials in the PS.
• PS 15/58, Calarasi, Sipoteni. At 10:52, observers from the PPS, PDM, PSRM and PCRM were standing next to the ballot box, talking to the voters.
• PS 40/30 Cimislia. Marinfeld. When a voter entered the voting booth, he was called by phone and advised for whom to vote. Although he was asked by the EBPS president to interrupt the call, he did not react. After voting, he closed the phone and left the PS.
• PS 27/20 Razeni, Razeni. A person walked into the PS, wearing a shirt (under the jacket) with the emblem of the PPS, he voted, the members of the EBPS made comments and asked him to bottom up the jacket, observers of other parties made a row that almost developed into altercations.
• PS 27/07 Chisinau, Buiucani. At 8:38, two people, who were distributing PDM leaflets outside the PS, entered the hall of the PS and talked to the voters. At the request of the EBPS president to leave the room, one of them alleged that she was talking to her lover. They went out, came back again, and after a short while, they left.
• PS 18/6, Orhei, Orhei. At 9:30, PPS representatives, holding electoral material on them, entered the PS to discuss with the PPS observer. At the observation of the EBPS president, they tried to hide the materials they held (bags, scarves, badges), and soon left the PS.
• PS 32/7 Chisinau, Vatra. Some PPS representatives stuck on the window of the PS pictures of ballot papers, indicating for whom to vote, after that one person entered the PS and voted following the indications.
• PS 32/7 Chisinau, Vatra. On the premises of the PS, two voters loudly discussed who to vote for. They shouted loudly, “We’re voting for the star”. They were not wearing any symbol of the party.
• PS 33/9 Chisinau, Durlesti. After voting, a voter spoke out loudly to vote for Constantin
• PS 7/3 Soroca. At 11.37, it was found that one of the observers had a sheet of paper on her with the inscription ACUM Electoral Bloc. At the request of the EBPS President, the sheet of paper was removed.
• PS 43/13 Cahul, Cahul. Before the opening of the PS, two people wearing the PPS symbols, entered the PS and put two scarves with the PPS symbols on their observers. The president of the EBPS reprimanded them, the unknown people left the PS. PPS observers wore the scarves with PPS symbols for two hours.
• PS 42/5 Cantemir, Burlaceni. A person wearing the PDM symbol entered the PS having no intention to vote. The president of the EBPS made an observation and the person left 2 minutes after he entered.
• PS 27/06 Chisinau, Buiucani. At 10:20, a member of the EBPS (Gheorghe Botnari – appointed by the PSRM) campaigned for the competitor. The president of the EBPS reprimanded him.
• PS 27/17, Chisinau, Buiucani. Periodically, three PPS representatives who were campaigning outside the PS, temporarily entered the PS speaking in a loud voice about their political sympathies. The president made a remark, but they came back anyway.
• PS 10/13, Balti, Balti. At 10:10, the PPS candidate in the SMC no.10, Pavel Verejan, accompanied by one of his colleagues, entered the PS. They were both wearing vests and scarves with party symbols. While Pavel Verejan voted, his colleague photographed and filmed him. An observer objected to such behavior, and as a reply, they asked for the permission of the EBPS president to film and photograph, to which the president gave his consent. Therefore, those concerned continued to make photos.
• PS 10/2, Balti, Balti. At 11.15, 2 representatives of the PPS were present in the PS. One of them showed the voters where to vote, and the second, who held a list, checked out who voted. The president of the EBPS asked them to leave the room. The police were also summoned.
• PS 47/004 Transnistria, Criuleni. There were cases, where voters received rewards outside of the PS after voting. According to the rumors, obtained from several sources, after the exercise of the right to vote, the voters receive cash rewards approximately in the amount of 200 lei or 20 dollars.
• PS 48/005 Transnistria, Calarasi. In the vicinity of the PS, unidentified persons distributed (from a minibus to four other cars) several black bags, without inscriptions, containing food. The vehicle noticed are: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter white, registration number: MUM 811; Mercedes-Benz, Grey; Dacia, black, registration number: MUM 782.
• PS 48/022 Transnistria, Varnita. There are rumors that voters, who had been brought to the PS (about 400-500 voters) are paid for their vote the amount of $ 20.
• PS 48/019 Transnistria, Stefan Voda. There are rumors that voters, who had been brought to the PS (about 60 voters) are paid for their vote the amount of $ 20.
• PS 48/020 Transnistria, Stefan Voda. A voter, who had been transported to the PS to vote, said that following the exercise of the right to vote and upon the presentation of a picture of the ballot paper, he received $ 20 as a reward from the PSRM.

Unjustified group voting (2 and more people are present in the voting booth) – 19 cases.

• PS 21/13 Criuleni, Cosnita-Est. Two people entered the voting booth and spoke using unlicensed language, then they left the booth.
• PS 38/10 Hancesti, Boghiceni. 2 people voted at the same time (husband and wife) in the voting booth, they were no signs of special needs. They were reprimanded, but this did not hamper the process, together they put the ballots in the ballot box.
• PS 9/9 Balti. At around 9.50, a couple entered the same voting booth. Following the request of EBPS members, the voter went to another voting booth and exercised his voting rights.
• PS 28/9 Chisinau, Riscani. At 8:11, two voters entered the voting booth at the same time. The president noticed them and the second person went to another booth.
• PS 18/4, Orhei, Orhei. At 8:15, a voter was in the voting booth. Another voter approached him and urged him to vote as he was saying. The case was noted by the EBPS president who reacted quickly to clarify the reason for such a situation.
• PS 32/18 Chisinau, Colonita. Two voters entered the PS. One went into the polling booth, after which the second entered it and gave indications on how to vote, coming out of the voting booth shortly.
• PS 33/20 Chisinau, Bacioi. Two people, husband and wife entered the voting booth. The president of the EBPS reprimanded them. Anyway, they voted together.
• PS 37/35 Razeni, Pojareni. A voter did not know how to vote, he did not understand where to apply the stamp, what to do, the person standing behind her, had the initiative to help her, approaching the woman to offer her help. EBPS members made an observation, but anyway, the person entered with the voter in the voting booth and showed her where to apply the stamp.
• PS 20/2 Straseni, Radeni. At 9.00, two people entered the voting booth. One of them showed the other where to put the stamp. The president of the EBPS did not react. The person was not visually challenged.
• PS 21/29 Criuleni, Magdacesti-Nord. At 11.30, two people entered the voting booth. They were elderly, but not visually impaired. The EBPS president or members did not react.
• PS 37/21 Razeni, Costesti. When a voter had to vote and approached the voting booth, he turned to the neighboring voter indicating who to vote for. The EBPS president made a remark and the person concerned withdrew.
• PS 38/25 Hancesti, Lapusna. At around 10:30, two people voted unjustifiably in the group, none of them was visually impaired. One person applied the stamp on 2 ballots. Observations were made by the EBPS president after the incident.
• PS 36/7 Stefan-Voda, Brezoaia. Two elderly people entered the booth for 1 minute they were there, the president noticed that they did not have the right to do so, they nevertheless voted.
• PS 36/10 Ştefan-Voda, Cioburciu. Two people entered the voting booth together, to which the president did not react. None of them was visually impaired.
• PS 10/38 Balti, Octeabriscoe. At 9:15, two people were seen voting in the same voting booth. The EBPS members made an observation, but this was taken as a joke by voters, and they continued to vote in the same booth. There was no reaction from the EBPS president because he was busy with others.
• PS 10/38 Balti, Octeabriscoe. At 11:17, a voter entered the voting booth, where there was already another voter, they consulted each other. The EBPS president was speaking to another person and the necessary measures were not taken.
• PS 50/20 Ireland, Dublin.
• PS 47/010 Transnistria, Orhei. The vice-president of the EBPS entered the voting booth with voters who needed translation or explanation of the voting procedure.
• PS 47/013 Transnistria, Dorotcaia. Several people entered the voting booth, two or more people, to vote together without any justification. The EBPS president made several observations and allowed voters into the PS to avoid crowding.

Unjustified presence of unauthorized persons in the polling station – 7 cases.

• PS 27/08 Chisinau, Buiucani. A person entered the PS, approached the EBPS members and asked for some information, claiming to be a member of the bureau. He did not present an authorization to confirm this. The person spent in the PS about 15 minutes. He said someone called him yesterday and asked him to come to the PS. The president was busy at that moment, but finally, the person was asked to leave.
• PS 33/2 Chisinau, Codru. A person in the PS did not have any identity papers on him. When the EBPS members approached this person, he said he was waiting for someone and left after a few minutes.
• PS 39/1 Sarata Galbena. Sarata Galbena. A woman representing the PPS entered PS and spent about 15-20 minutes there. The president of the EBPS did not take any stand. The STO reported that the woman was not wearing any PPS symbol, but she talked with the PPS observer.
• PS 2/7, Ocnita, Donduseni. The electoral candidate of ACUM Bloc, Remus Ciobanu, after voting, entered the polling station several times.
• PS 2/31, Ocnita, Horodiste. At 10:00, the mayor’s presence in the polling station was noted. He approached the EBPS president and they discussed for a while, the mayor did not exercise the right to vote. Subsequently, following the observers’ remarks, the mayor left the polling station.
• PS 27/02 Chisinau, Buiucani. At 10:05, a person, holding an authorization issued in 2015, came to the PS, the person did not present himself, mentioning only that he was accredited by the presidency. The president and EBPS members did not comment. The person took pictures of the PS, the observers reprimanded him, and the police were summoned. At 10:15, the person left.
• PS 50/41 Italy, Ravena

The ballot papers that have not been distributed to the BEPS members are not securely kept in the polling station – 1 case.

• PS 50/63 Portugal, Setubal

Organized transportation of voters (buses, minibuses, or other transport units that normally would not be in the area of the PS) – 23 cases

• PS 21/25 Criuleni, Hartopul Mic. At a distance of 20 m from the PS, a Volkswagen was twice seen (at 9.40 and 9.50) carrying voters. The transport was organized by the PPS.
• PS 21/19 Criuleni, Dorotcaia. At around 8.30, a white minibus with “on demand” inscription stopped at a distance of 10 m from the PS, there were around 10 people in it. It is not clear who organized the transportation service.
• PS 37/2 Razeni, Razeni. Organized transportation of voters by the PDM. The STO states that he heard a PDM party member talk with another person, referring to an invalid ID card and a minor vote for the PDM.
• PS 37/2 Razeni, Razeni. Organized transportation of voters, white minibuses, it was noticed how two elderly people, who had already voted, went into the minibus. It is not known what electoral competitor organized the transportation.
• PS 2/35, Ocnita, Paustova. At 9.55, a group of voters was transported by PPS representatives by a Volkswagen Transporter Subsequently, the PPS representatives remained campaigning near the polling station.
• PS 2/35, Ocnita, Paustova. Transportation of voters – about 15 students were brought by with a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter by unidentified people.
• PS 3/20, Edinet, Bratuseni. At 10.00, there was an organized transportation of voters – about 15 students.
• PS 48/018 Transnistria, Stefan Voda. Approximately 200 people were brought in an organized manner to the PS by three buses.
• PS 47/004 Transnistria, Criuleni. Approximately 392 people were brought in an organized manner to the PS by 6 buses. The EBPS president suggested that voters would enter the PS in turn to avoid crowding.
• PS 47/013 Transnistria, Dorotcaia. Approximately 20-25 people were brought to the PS by 2 buses. The buses were parked around the EBPS.
• PS 48/020 Transnistria, Stefan Voda. Approximately 470 people were brought to the PS by multiple means of transport, such as Neoplan light blue, registration number: E 049 BO, white Mercedes-Benz, registration number: T 567 HO, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, white minibus, registration number: T 918 MM and T 644 K, A 576 CB white minibus, and two other white and blue minibuses with unidentified numbers.
• PS 48/023 Transnistria, Chisinau. Approximately 30 people were brought to the PS in an organized manner, by a MAN bus, registration number: LEU 942. The bus is parked at a distance of 200 m from the PS.
• PS 48/007 and 024 Transnistria, Chisinau. About 150 people were brought to the PS from Tiraspol in an organized manner. The people were transported by 2 white buses, registration number: T 961 MH and T 479 MP, parked away from the PS.
• PS 48/022 Transnistria, Varnita. 400-450 people were brought to the PS in an organized manner. They were transported by about 32 cars, including: Mercedes-Benz minibuses, registration number: T 707 CT, C 338 HB, T 255 KE.
• PS 48/023 Transnistria, Chisinau. At 11.30, approximately 120 people were brought to the PS. The buses identified are: Green DAF, registration number: NPL 541 and ENK 890; red DAF, registration number: OMM 213; white bus registration number: OOT 868.
• PS 48/019 Transnistria, Stefan Voda. Organized transport of approx. 60 people to the PS by 3 minibuses: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter white, registration numbers: CLN 189, T 951 KP, and T 952 KP.
• PS 48/010 Transnistria, Anenii Noi. 100 people were brought to the PS by 2 buses and 3 minibuses.
• PS 48/018 Transnistria, Stefan Voda. Organized transportation of approx. 50 people to the PS by 3 minibuses: Green Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with no registration number, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter white, registration number: WWO 963, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter white, registration number: SFC 633.
• PS 47/004 Transnistria, Criuleni. Approx. 330 people were brought to the PS by cars: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter white, reg. no. ELB 567, BR AT 276 and K AD 817, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, blue, reg. no. E 916 BH and BR AZ 942, Blue bus, reg. no. GME 130, white Mercedes-Benz with unidentified number, Bus Keops (Dubasari – Chisinau route) grey, reg. number E 400 AX, white minibus, reg. no. E 101 AT, Blue Iveco, reg. no. E 010 AT, yellow Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, reg. no. BR AO 073.
• PS 47/001 Transnistria, Chisinau. 60 people were brought to the PS in an organized manner by 3 mini buses: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, green, unidentified number, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, white, reg. no.A 073 CM and T 255 MA.
• PS 47/008 Transnistria, Soldanesti. 300 people were brought to the PS in an organized manner by at least 7 buses, including: Blue Setra, reg. no. GLA 888, Mercedes-Benz, blue, reg. no.QMO 651.
• PS 47/007 Transnistria, Hirtop. 300 people were brought to the PS in an organized manner by the following vehicles: Mercedes-Benz, white, reg. no.: PPS 265, K KF 777, C PK 520, C MY 826, AHI 343, Mercedes-Benz, dark blue, reg. no. C RB 185, bus Ikarus, reg. no. K 777 AB.
• PS 47/009 Transnistria, Soldanesti. About 20 people were transported to the PS, by a white Mercedes-Benz minibus, reg. no. C QD 757.

Unjustified cessation of voting in the polling station – 1 case

• PS 9/13 Balti. The operator wanted to check if the video camera is working and it stopped. That is why the voting was suspended for 5 minutes from 8:02 to 8:07. During this time, a voter entered and was denied the right to vote until the issue was resolved.  The EBPS president reacted very quickly and solved the problem.
• Deficiencies in the operation of the SIAS Elections System (suspension of operation, situations when SIAS Elections System indicates that the citizen voted, and he claims not to) – 28 cases.
• PS 38/24 Hancesti, Lapusna. SIAS Elections System did not work from 09:15 – 09:19, they could not check the data. They called the CEC and clarified the situation.
• PS 38/10 Hancesti, Boghiceni. There was no Internet connection for about 10 minutes, during this period, the voters’ data were put down on paper, which had to be registered later in SIAS Elections System.
• PS 4/32, Riscani, Pirjota. In the period of time between 08.39 and 09.20, there was no Internet connection in the PS. A Moldtelecom operator was called to resolve the issue. Operators of SIAS Elections System recorded data on sheets of paper.
• PS 9/11, Balti. At around 9.15, SIAS Elections System blocked for 2 minutes. At that point, there were voters waiting in the PS.
• PS 10/19, Balti, Balti. The SIAS Elections System did not work for 20 minutes on the computer of one of the two operators (08: 40-09: 00). To resolve the situation, the EBPS president called the call center for assistance. The voting process during this period was not interrupted.
• PS 16/11, Singerei, Ungheni. At 09:15, the SIAS Elections System showed that a voter had already voted in the village of Simeni, but he came to vote, arguing that he had not voted at all. Finally, the voter was allowed to vote.
• PS 27/21, Chisinau, Buiucani. At 09:15, computers did not work for 2 minutes, and work was stopped due to Internet connection. The president solved the problem.
• PS 12/3, Singerei, Center. At 8:35, a voter came to the PS to vote. After checking and registering his data in SIAS Elections System, it was found that he was not assigned to that PS. As a result, the voter left the PS without voting, but his data remained in the SIAS Elections as if he had already voted.
• PS 33/7 Chisinau, Durlesti. Problems with Internet connection starting from 7.15 until 8.47.
• PS 33/14 Chisinau, Durlesti. For 30 minutes, operators did not have access to the Internet. More than 20 minutes later, the incident was removed by Moldtelecom workers.
• PS 42/45 Cantemir, Bucuria. The Mayor of Cahul came to the PS, but his data had already been entered into the system and it showed he had already voted. The EBPS president did not let him vote again.
• PS 37/29 Razeni, Milestii Mici. From 08:50 to 09:10, one of the SIAS Elections operators did not work, claiming the page was blocked. The members of the EBPS tried to settle the problem, the deficiency was fixed after contacting the CEC. This situation lasted about 20 minutes.
• PS 32/32 Chisinau, Tohatin. At 11:04, there was no Internet connection for SIAS Elections System. At 11:15, this problem was removed.
• PS 45/13 Comrat, Avdarma. At 9:15, there were deficiencies in the operation of SIAS Elections System. For 15 minutes, the polling process was recorded on a sheet of paper, then the data was entered into the computer.
• PS 45/5 Comrat, Comrat. At 10:15, the Internet connection disappeared. Measures had been taken to address the deficiency. The voting process was not interrupted. All data was indicated on a sheet of paper.
• PS 47/022 Transnistria, Ustia. A voter came to the PS to vote, the data in the identity card show that the voter’s residence visa is in Dubasari, but the SIAS Elections System indicated it is in Chisinau. The voter did not vote.
• PS 49/23 Turkey, Istanbul
• PS 50/69 Romania, Timisoara
• PS 50/63 Portugal, Setubal

Deficiencies in electoral lists (address discrepancies, deceased voters on the list, signatures in place of other people) – 28 cases.

• PS 30/5 Chisinau, Ciocana. At 9.20, a voter reprimanded the EBPS members that her daughter, who is died for 19 years, id on the electoral roll.
• PS 31/26 Chisinau. Riscani. The voter found in the basic lists, that some people, who had already died, are registered at his address.
• PS 34/1 Anenii Noi, Anenii Noi. The woman, who requested a ballot, found the name of her deceased husband on the list.
• PS 9/2 Balti. At 9.10, there was a discrepancy between the addresses. The operator signaled the problem. The EBPS president made a copy of the ID card and the person was included in the supplementary list.
• PS 9/21 Balti. At 8.24, the person, whose ID documents indicated the respective PS, was not found on the basic list and was included in the supplementary list.
• PS 23/10 Chisinau, Botanica. A person, whose ID documents indicated the respective PS, was not found on the basic list and was included in the supplementary list.
• PS 25/15 Chisinau, Center.  The husband and wife came to vote. One of them was not on the electoral list, being assigned to another polling station.
• PS 25/17 Chisinau, Center. Election lists included 5 people with the same residence. But the apartment owners said that only two people live in that apartment.
• PS 25/2 Chisinau, Botanica. A voter found on the lists that there are foreigners, residing in his apartment.
• PS 25/15 Chisinau, Center. A voter did not find himself on the basic list and was included in the supplementary list.
• PS 26/25, Chisinau, Center. At 9:11, a voter identified a deceased person on the electoral roll. The person, who detected the incident declares he submitted the death certificate of the deceased relative, but the EBPS president states the opposite.
• PS 40/16 Cimislia. Basarabeasca. A voter was not registered in the electoral lists. The president of the EBPS told the voter to write a contestation.
• PS 33/9 Chisinau. Durlesti. A voter came to the PS but he was not to be found in SIAS Elections System. He showed the identity card accompanying sheet and was included in the supplementary lists. The voter voted.
• PS 40/8 Cimislia, Cimislia. A person came with the death certificate of a relative, mentioning that the person is dead for 20 years and is always present on the electoral rolls. The president of the EBPS commented that he can do nothing, because “electoral rolls do not have to be corrected.”
• PS 32/31 Chisinau, Tohatin. At 10:19, 3 voters voted on the supplementary list, even if they resided in another constituency. The STO asked the operator, who confirmed it. After the EBPS president consulted someone on the phone (no one knows whom), he allowed the voters to vote.
• PS 37/6 Razeni, Cainari. A voter was not found in the basic list. He was included in a supplementary list and then exercised his / her right to vote.
• PS 20/34 Straseni, Sireti. A deceased person was on the list. It was noticed by a voter at around 7.20. The president of the EBPS said that the lists had been modified and then transmitted, but the CEC did not make the changes.
• PS 4/32 Riscani, Pirjota. At about 9.56, a voter was not found on the basic lists and voted on the supplementary list, although he has a residence in the village, where the polling station is.
• PS 6/7 Drochia. At about 8:25, a voter found a deceased person on the list (died 5 years ago). The President of the EBPS removed the name from the list, identifying it as deceased.
• PS 44/2 Taraclia, Taraclia. A person communicated that she identified her deceased husband’s name on the electoral list. The President of the EBPS referred her to the LPA to clarify the issue.
• PS 44/4 Taraclia, Taraclia. A person reported that she found names of diseased persons on the list with the residence visa at her property. The EBPS president announced that she must approach the president with her identity card in order to clarify the situation, but the person concerned left the PS. The issue has not been resolved.
• PS 43/13 Cahul, Cahul. Diseased people are identified on the electoral lists. An observer from the PS noted in the electoral list the name / surname of his son, who died in 2000. He said he had not identified his name in similar lists in the previous elections. The EBPS president requested the person’s death certificate.  The issue has not been resolved.
• PS 42/31 Cantemir, Moscovei. A total of 27 people from the same village came to the PS 42/31, although they were registered at the PS 42/30. According to the SIAS Elections System these voters did not vote previously. The president of the EBPS allowed them to vote on the supplementary list.
• PS 27/5, Chisinau, Buiucani. At 11:09, it was found that voters, residing in a 9-storey block of flats, are assigned to that PS, being included in the SIAS Elections System, but are not included in the basic lists. The reason invoked was the fact that only one apartment is registered in that building. The voters voted on supplementary lists.
• PS 27/8, Chisinau, Buiucani. At 11:39, a voter identified a deceased person included in the basic lists. The EBPS president said he could do nothing unless the death certificate was presented.
• PS 28/17, Chisinau, Riscani. At 11:37, a voter was not on the basic list and voted on the supplementary list.
• PS 50/01 Austria, Vienna
• PS 50/07 Greece, Athens

Photographing of ballot papers, other violations of the secret voting – 22 cases.

• PS 38/29 Hancesti, Mereseni. A person photographed the ballot. The fact was noticed. The EBPS president made a remark, asking to delete the picture.
• PS 9/33 Balti. A voter photographed the ballot at around 8.58. The EBPS member reported to the EBPS president, who reprimanded the voter, but did not ask to delete the picture.
• PS 23/20 Chisinau, Botanica. A voter held the phone over the ballot and probably photographed it. At the remark of the EBPS president, the voter mentioned that he was not taking pictures, but just looking at the phone.
• PS 25/18 Chisinau, Center. A voter photographed the ballot. The EBPS president did not notice this incident.
• PS 25/25 Chisinau, Center. At around 10.35, two people photographed the ballots, one deleted the photo, the second left without deleting it.
• PS 15/16, Calarasi, Bahmut Railway Station. At 9:05, a voter photographed the ballot. Immediately, he was warned by the EBPS members. As a result, the picture was deleted.
• PS 27/16, Chisinau, Buiucani. At 7:45, a voter photographed the ballot. The president reprimanded him and asked to show the last picture. But he refused and hurriedly left the PS.
• PS 27/8, Chisinau, Buiucani. At 7:35, a voter photographed the ballot paper in the voting booth. All those present in the PS noticed the moment. As a result, the president requested to delete the picture. The voter declared on his own responsibility that he deleted the picture, but he did not prove it.
• PS 33/19 Chisinau, Bacioi. A group of 4 voters entered the PS, they voted one by one, photographing the ballot papers. The STO saw the photo flash in the voting booth. The STO sent the information to the president of the EBPS, and he told them that he could do nothing. Meanwhile the group left the PS.
• PS 27/32 Razeni, Molesti. A voter photographed the ballot, the president of the EBPS did not react.
• PS 46/6 Ceadir-Lunga, Ceadir-Lunga. A voter photographed the ballot. EBPS members noticed the case and canceled the ballot. The voter did not vote for the second time. The ballot was applied the ‘canceled” stamp and put into the ballot box.
• PS 45/07 Comrat, Comrat. A voter attempted to photograph the ballot. The president of the EBPS reacted promptly, checked the phone, but the picture was not identified. It was not established, whether the picture of the ballot had been sent to anyone.
• PS 28/19, Chisinau, Riscani. At 11.40, a voter photographed the ballot. Immediately, the president of the EBPS warned him that he had no right to take pictures, the voter claimed that he did not know that it was forbidden.
• PS 50/35 Italy, Padova
• PS 50/77 Spain, Madrid
• PS 50/09 Switzerland, Geneva
• PS 49/12 Russia, Moscow
• PS 50/28 Italy, Firenze
• PS 50/62 Portugal, Faro
• PS 50/36 Italy, Padova
• PS 50/63 Portugal, Setubal

Interrupted filming of voting and counting procedures, other incidents related to the filming of voting procedures – 12 cases.

• PS 21/2 Criuleni, Center. The camera did not work from 8.15 to 8.49. Later, it was fixed, but it worked only until 9.00. The EBPS president says he will do his best to fix it.
• PS 22/15 Ialoveni, Danceni. The camera did not work from 07:23 to 08:23. A spare camera was brought.
• PS 30/7 Chisinau, Ciocana. The video camera did not register anything since the opening of the polling station and it was replaced at 9:40. The EBPS president did not motivate or commented on this incident.
• PS 8/39 Floresti, Lunga. The Camera did not work from the opening of the polling station – 7:00 to 7:36, when an observer found out that the video recording camera was not filming. At this time, the operator connected the camera, claiming that the camera was not on because of a malfunction.
• PS 9/11 Balti. At 8:30, the video recording process was interrupted because the cable that plugged it in does not work, if it is touched. The camera did not record anything for about 20 minutes.
• PS 25/16, Chisinau, Center. At 9:20, the video recording process was interrupted because the battery was discharged and it took about 3 minutes to change it. The voting process was not interrupted.
• PS 14/52 Telenesti, Vasieni. The camera did not work for 20 minutes between 07: 00-07: 20.
• PS 15/2, Calarasi, Calarasi. At 7.03, before the voters were allowed to the PS, the observer informed the members of the EBPS that he had the impression that the video camera was not working, the EBPS members assured him of the opposite. Subsequently, at 10:00, the observer once again reminded the EBPS members of the fact that there was no recording. It turned out, the camera did not work in deed. The president said they would most likely draw the minutes explaining that the camera did not work until 10.00.
• PS 15/8, Calarasi, Calarasi. The camera did not work for 15 minutes, between 9:15 and 9:30.
• PS 33/12 Chisinau, Durlesti. At 10:45, the video recording system The bulb / light was not on. Specialists were called to resolve the issue.
• PS 37/6 Razeni. Cainari. The video camera did not work for 10 minutes, from 12:30 to 12:40, it was noticed by a member of the EBPS, who made a fuss of this, the problem was solved when the camera was reconnected.
• PS 10/12, Balti, Balti. At 10:15 it was reported that the video camera did not work for 30 minutes.  The President of the EBPS took action and reconnected the camera.

Damaged ballot papers or other incidents involving their non – conforming use – 15 cases.

• PS 21/37 Criuleni, Riscova. At about 9.10, a voter left a non-used ballot. The EBPS president took the ballot and put it in the safe.
• PS 30/6 Chisinau, Ciocana. After voting, the voter hid the ballot and tried to take it out of the PS, this was noticed by the EBPS members. The EBPS president stopped him and asked him to place the ballot paper into the ballot box. The incident occurred at 9:25.
• PS 31/7 Chisinau, Riscani. A person entered the polling station and, after receiving the ballot, tore it.
• PS 9/21, Balti. At around 9:57, a voter tried to take the ballot for the SMC with him.  He did not get out of the PS because he was stopped by the EBPS president, who noticed how he had folded something and put into his pocket. The voter remained in the polling station with the policeman and waits for the resolution.
• PS 9/30, Balti. At 9.30, a stamped ballot was left in the voting booth. The EPPS president did not draw up minutes in this respect, saying she would put it aside and cancel it at the end of the day.
• PS 40/18 Cimislia, Abaclia. The EBPS president found a ballot left in the booth, which was later put into the ballot box.
• PS 32/2 Chisinau, Cricova. A drunk person entered the PS. After receiving the ballot, he made a fuss, crumpled the ballot and dropped it.
• PS 39/30 Sarata Galbena, Gura Galbenei. A citizen, who voted only in the national constituency, tore the other ballot papers, put them into his pocket and left the PS. The EBPS president and an observer called on him to return the destroyed ballot papers. The voter refused. A police officer was invited and the EBPS president called the CEC. The voter gave a written explanation.
• PS 43/27 Cahul, Slobozia Mare. A voter entered the PS with a ballot in his hand. He said that this ballot was received from the school guard, who forgot to vote and asked the person to vote in his place for the PPS. The EBPS president canceled the ballot.
• PS 20/4 Straseni, Straseni. At 9.42, a voter took the ballot papers, but as there was a queue, he refused to wait. He dropped the ballots on the desk of the EBPS members and left. The president drew up minutes for the annulment of the ballot papers.
• PS 3/5, Edinet. A 70-year-old citizen voted, then took 2 ballots out of the polling station (1 for the SMC, 1 for the referendum). The voter was stopped and the ballots were taken and placed into the ballot box.
• PS 7/5, Soroca. At 11.30, it was found that a ballot for the SMC was left in the voting booth with the stamp applied. This violation was detected by the next voter, who entered the voting booth. The president considered the ballot invalid and drew up a minutes.
• PS 32/27 Chisinau, Stauceni. The EBPS president found two empty ballots in the voting booth. The ballot papers were shown to the observers; after which they were entered into the ballot box.
• PS 27/14, Chisinau, Buiucani. At 11:15, a voter introduced 3 ballots into the ballot box, the EBPS members said he had been given 4 ballots, being asked about the fourth ballot paper, the voter left in a hurry.
• PS 28/25, Chisinau, Riscani. At 11.57, a voter tried to go home taking the referendum ballots with him. When the EBPS president made an observation, the voter tore the ballots and threw them into the ballot box.

Introducing an unjustified number of ballots into the ballot box – 2 cases.

• PS 28/9, Chisinau, Riscani. At 11:55, a voter tried to introduce a larger number of ballot papers (about 10) into the ballot box. The EBPS president noted this and stopped him. The voter tried to tear the ballots, but failed because the president managed to take the ballots. There were several referendum ballots.
• PS 10/6, Balti, Balti. About 24 referendum ballots were identified in the voting booth, some of which had been stamped, and others had not. They were put into the ballot box by the president of the EBPS, as a result, those stamped would be considered valid, and those unstamped would be declared invalid.

Obliging voters to participate in the referendum by the EBPS members – 2 cases.

• PS 26/27, Chisinau, Center. At 11:04, an EBPS member offered referendum ballots to a voter without inquiring about his consent. As a result, the voter filed an objection to the actions of the EBPS, a conflict aroused between them.
• PS 15/16, Calarasi, Bahmut Railway Station. At 10:50, the EBPS members initially require voters to sign for having received all the four ballots and when voters refuse to vote in the referendum, the EBPS members state that they have already signed and have no right to refuse. There are multiple incidents of this kind.

Other -16 cases.

• PS 27/16, Chisinau, Buiucani. The PS is located on the first floor and the voting booths are situated backward to the window. Therefore, it is possible to see through the window what is happening in the voting booths. The EBPS members and president did not comment on the situation.
• PS 27/15, Chisinau, Buiucani. From 11:20, the observer of ACUM Bloc performs some of the EBPS’s tasks: checks whether any ballots remained in the voting booth and whether the stamps are in good condition. The president did not notice the situation described, as she periodically moved through the PS.
• PS 10/36, Balti, Marinesti. There are 3 video cameras in the PS: 2 belonging to the high school and 1 to the CEC. From the statements of the EBPS members, the other two cameras are not functional / connected, and the third – is directed and registers the ballot box.
• PS 50/46 Italy, Trento
• PS 50/63 Portugal, Setubal
• PS 50/54 United Kingdom, London
• PS 50/16 France, Bordeaux
• PS 50/38 Italy, Parma
• PS 50/31 Italy, Milano
• PS 50/11 France, Paris
• PS 49/07 Israel, Tel Aviv
• PS 49/23 dating in Turkey, Istanbul
• PS 50/38 Italy, Parma
• PS 50/60 Portugal, Lisbon
• PS 50/77 Spain, Madrid
• PS 50/35 Italy, Padova

This press release is drafted within the 2019 Parliamentary Election Observation Mission, carried out by the Promo-LEX Association with the financial support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Democracy, Transparency and Responsibility Program; the British Embassy in Chisinau through the project for Strengthening Democratic Accountability in Moldova; Soros-Moldova Foundation through the projects Strengthening the Platform for the Development of Activism and Education of Human Rights in the Republic of Moldova and Monitoring Electoral Rolls and Litigation in the 2018 Parliamentary Elections; the Council of Europe through the Support for the Monitoring of the 2018 Parliamentary Elections project.

The responsibility for the opinions expressed in this report lies with the Promo-LEX Association and does not necessarily reflect the position of the donors. The content of this document may be subject to editorial revisions.

For more details, please contact:
Inga Stegarescu, Communications Officer of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the parliamentary election of February 24, 2019
GSM: 069269684, e-mail: [email protected]