Promo-LEX Election Observation Mission for the Presidential Election in the Republic of Moldova of 1 November 2020 | new details on conduct of election

1 November 2020
Time: 2:00 pm

Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the Presidential Election in the Republic of Moldova of 1 November 2020 informs that as of 2:00 pm the Mission had received 326 incident reports from observers, Promo-LEX analytical team processed 196 reports, and this press release contains information on 161 incidents:

New details on the conduct of election:

Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the Presidential Election in the Republic of Moldova of 1 November 2020 finds,

Unjustified presence of unauthorised persons inside or within 100 m from the polling station – 11 cases

• PS 36/7 Gagauzia ATU, Comrat. At 9:15 a.m., two people wearing clothes with the inscription ”Народный Антикризисный Штаб- НАШ” [eng. National Anti-Crisis Task Force] showed up at the entrance of the PS. The PEB Chairperson reacted 15 min and the police asked them to leave the PS. They justified being present there in order to help persons with disabilities. Later these persons left the PS at a distance of about 70-100 meters.
• PS 36/6 Gagauzia ATU, Comrat. At 9:23 a.m., there was a person wearing clothes with the inscription ”Народный Антикризисный Штаб- НАШ” [eng. National Anti-Crisis Task Force] at the entrance of PS. PEB Chairperson was notified and he asked the former to leave the PS. This person left the premises and did not justify his presence.
• PS 36/8 Gagauzia ATU, Comrat. At 9:45, there were 2 persons wearing clothes with ”НАШ” inscription within the area of 100 meters from the PS, talking to people. At 10:00 a.m., PEB Chairperson asked them to leave the area. These persons left the PS area (100 m) in one hour.
• PS 36/44 Gagauzia ATU, Comrat. At 9:15, there were 2 persons wearing clothes with ”НАШ” inscription within the area of 100 meters from the PS. They stayed there for 15 minutes. Later, PEB Chairperson together with the police asked them to leave the area of 100 m from the polling station.
• PS 1/218, Chisinau, Rascani. One person, who supposedly is an observer from the nearby polling station, entered the PS to talk to another observer (supposedly from a candidate) about the correctness of voting with a mobile ballot box. That person spent about 15-20 minutes in the polling station.
• PS 32/8, Stefan Voda, Carahasani. At 9:40, a voter, after having exercised his right to vote, remained within the PS, and then after leaving, returned several times to the PS. PEB Chairperson asked him to leave the PS. This person stayed within the area of 100 m. from the PS for about 20 minutes to talk to voters.
• PS 7/3, Cahul. ”Anti-Crisis Community Center” NGO, represented by 2 people wearing the Center’s visibility signs are accompanying and transporting voters to the PS (elderly persons).
• PS 24/25, Ocnita, Mihalaseni. A lady, chairperson of a territorial branch of a party, was discussing with people within the area of 100 meters from the PS. She had stayed there for about one hour.
• PS 1/163, Chisinau, Ciocana. At about 09:11, there were two persons within the PS, telling people that they could help them vote. When asked by the PEB Chairperson, the respective persons left.
• PS 25/031 Orhei, Cucuruzeni. After casting their vote, several persons supporting a candidate, had stayed for 30 min. within the area of 10 meters from the PS, without any reprimand by PEB members.
• PS 1/325, Russian Federation, Moscow. There were unauthorised persons within the PS. After 20 minutes, they were notified and left the PS.

Rumors, attempts or even situations of in-kind or cash rewards offered to voters within the are of 100 m from the polling station in order to influence them – 9 cases.

• Transnistrian region, Rezina. In the vicinity of Ribnita-Rezina bridge, observers noticed that all voters coming from the transnistrian region have protection equipment (mask and gloves) of the same type, and many of them had similar bags.
• PS 37/17 transnistrian region, Causeni. A vehicle was parked near the PS, where voters coming from the transnistrian region received masks, gloves and pens. After observers made video and photo evidence, the vehicle left.
• PS 37/14 transnistrian region, Causeni. Voters from the transnistrian region came to PEB members to ask where they could get the money for voting. After PEB members explain that they will not be paid for voting, some of them left without voting.
• PS 37/19, transnistrian region, Causeni, Firladeni. Discussion with voters from the transnistrian region revealed that electors from Bender were remunerated with 100 rubles, and those from Tiraspol – with 400 rubles.
• PS 1/327, Russian Federation, Moscow. Observer from a party did not notice how an unknown person gave money to a lady that exited the PS.
• PS 2/58 Balti, Balti town. A lady was electioneering within an area of 15-20 m from the PS — she approached a man and gave him some cash.
• PS 18/54, Floresti, Radulenii Vechi. At 08:40 a.m. — there is a market and three stores at a distance of about 300 m from the PS. For about 20 minutes, observers saw a number of persons entering the store, immediately after exiting the PS, in order to take what was offered to them. While exiting the store, the respective voters did not carry anything they might had bought in the store. There was a person in each store to monitor the situation and take note of who was coming into the store.
• PS 1/54 Chisinau, Botanica. PEB members informed observers about a case of rewarding voters. After a voter cast his vote, the observer from an electoral candidate left the premises together with the voter and gave him cash (banknotes of 100-200 lei were noticed). This case was also noticed by an PEB member, who went out to buy something from a nearby shop.
• PS 29/10 Soroca, Soroca. At 10.30 a.m. and 11.20 a.m., a lady was noticed holding several lists. She was in an old abandoned building, across the polling station. A number of voters were noticed to go to that building after casting their votes. It is assumed that they were paid. The PEB Chairperson notified the police.

Organised voter transportation (by buses, passenger vans or other vehicles that wouldn’t normally be around) – 17 cases.

• Transnistrian region, Rezina. Voters are brought by buses from the transnistrian region to the control point near the bridge connecting Rezina and Ribnita. They get off at the control point and then walk or drive by cars to the PSs in Rezina.
• PS 37/37 transnistrian region, Rezina. Personal vehicles were noticed near ‘Olimp’ Theoretical Lyceum, where the PS is located, that drive back and forth and transport voters from the transnistrian region.
• PS 37/22 and 37/23, transnistrian region, Criuleni. A number of vehicles were noticed to cross several times the bridge near Criuleni. A group of combatants are located in the same region, and document all citizens from the left bank of the Nistru river, who cross the bridge.
• PS 10/7 transnistrian region, Causeni. Several sources informed the observer that a passenger van transported voters from the transnistrian region, who got off the van in fron of the multi-purpose center of Causeni t.
• PS 37/10, Transnistrian region, Anenii Noi, Varnita. Voters are transported in an organised manner to the PS.
• PS 37/38 and 37/39, transnistrian region, Rezina. At least 12 vehicles were noticed to transport voters in an organised manner, of which at least two are passenger vans (P041BH, P402CE, P703EA, P210BT, P529CO, P612cx, P747BE, P059CT, P377CE, T959ET (passenger van), P377CE (passenger van)).
• PS 37/20 and 37/21, transnistrian region, Criuleni, Hagimus. In Bender, about 32 persons were transported in an organised manner with passenger vans with a capacity of 8 places.
• PS 37/24 and 37/25 transnistrian region, Dubasari, Cocieri. Voter from the transnistrian region are transported in an organised manner to the Cocieri bridge. There they get off the bus and are then transported by several smaller cars, with a capacity of up to 7 seats, to the PS in Cocieri. The vehicles used to transport passengers to the PS have the following registration numbers: У613уа98 (Russian Federation), DB AH 203.
• PS 37/19, transnistrian region, Causeni, Firladeni. There are many cars with transnistrian registration numbers at the PS. The drivers took pictures at the PS to have evidence that they brought people. The drivers take turns to different PSs to create the impression that voters are coming by themselves. Registration numbers of the vehicles that transport citizens: T885МТ, T212TT.
• PS 11/26 Cimislia, Hirtop. At 12:20 p.m., a passenger van was noticed; about 12 persons got out of it and walked to the PS to cast their votes. Registration number: CM AI 116.
• PSs 37/20 and 37/21, transnistrian region, Causeni, Hagimus. Organised transportation for voters from the transnistrian region is provided from the Bender customs. Voters are transported to the PS in groups of 7-8 persons by a car. When the locals noticed that, they tried to block the access road to the PS. A representative of an election contender was among them.
• PSs 37/17 and 37/18, transnistrian region, Causeni, Copanca. Citizens from the transnistrian region are transported from Copanca customs by cars, in groups of 5 people. The cars are travelling back and forth and have brought about 30 persons. Registration numbers: T723EX, VW Șaran 905, Mercedes Sprinter С097НТ.
• PS 37/6 transnistrian region, Anenii Noi, Gura Bicului. Voters from the transnistrian region were brought in an organised manner by a passenger van. As reported by police offices, who stopped the van, this vehicle was bringing voters for the second time.
• PS 01/262, Chisinau, Singera. At 11.15 a.m., a yellow Mercedes Sprinter, registration number CKV 577, was noticed. Nine persons got out of it. The passenger van had neither a note saying it was transporting passengers, not any sign of public transportation.
• PS 36/44 Gagauzia ATU, Chirsova. At 9:00 a.m., a white passenger van was noticed to transport 5-6 voters each time. During one hour, the van transported three groups of voters.
• PS 26/9 Rezina, Busauca. A white Ford Transit with the registration number RZ AH 757 was seen to transport twice voters, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. About 10 voters were transported at 10:00 a.m., and about 4 voters – at 11:00 a.m. The driver of the van was the village mayor. This vehicle was seen twice in the vicinity of the polling station.
• PS 28/37, Singerei, Dobrogea Veche. Between 11.00 a.m. and 11.10 a.m., a green Mercedes van was noticed in the area of the PS. At least 4 persons were transported in an organised manner.

Presence of advertising materials, electoral billboards and posters in the vicinity of the polling station (within the area of 100 m from the PS) – 12 cases.

• PS 10/23 Causeni, Copanca. Posters promoting a candidate are displayed at a distance of about 25 meters from the PS.
• PS 18/63, Floresti, Temeleuti. Electoral posters of three candidates are displayed within 100 meters from the PS.
• PS 34/33, Telenesti, Pistruieni. The posters of three candidates are displayed at a distance of about 35-40 meters from the PS.
• PS 11/30 Cimislia, Ivanovca Nouă. There is an information panel displaying posters of four candidates at the entry of the PS.
• PS 29/30 Soroca, Dubna. Election posters of all election contenders are displayed at about 10 meters of the PS, on the fence of the Palace of Culture.
• PS 18/32 Floresti, Gura Camencii. Posters promoting two candidates are displayed at about 30 meters of the PS.
• PS 18/012, Floresti, Bahrinești. A4 folded leaflets of two candidates are displayed at about 50-60m from the PS. PEB chairperson is not aware about their existence.
• PS 36/16, ATUG, Ceadîr-Lunga. Two banners in favour of some candidates are displayed in front of the PS.
• PS 29/30 Soroca, Dubna. In the proximity of the PS electoral billboards in favour of all candidates are displayed.
• PS 27/32 Riscani, Petruseni. Printed materials promoting a candidate are displayed at a distance of about 70 meters from the PS.
• PS 27/22 Riscani, Galaseni. Printed materials promoting a candidate are displayed at a distance of about 20 meters from the PS.
• PS 25/34 Orhei, Ghetlova. On a pole at about 60 meters from the PS a leaflet in support of a candidate is displayed.

Electioneering or black PR within the radius of 100 m and/or near the polling station to influence the voters – 7 cases.

• PS 2/42 Balti, Balti. At 9:03 a.m., after he made his choice in the ballot paper, a voter urged other voters to vote for a particular candidate. Although the PEB Chairperson reprimanded him, the voter continued to urge people to vote for that candidate on his way out of the PS.
• PS 2/58 Balti, Balti. At 8:52 a.m. four women who were standing at the PS entrance urged a young voter to vote for a particular candidate. Two of them continued electioneering at the bus stop just 15-20 meters away from the PS.
• PS 1/51 Chisinau, Botanica. An elderly voter asked PEB members how come a particular politician was not on the ballot paper and about how she could vote particularly for him. The PEB members informed her about the candidate supported by the candidate she was looking for, making certain allegations out loud, such as ‘although he stole, he also did something’, electioneering, this way, in favour of that candidate. At last, the voter agreed to go to the voting booth and cast her vote.
• PS 32/8 Stefan Voda, Carahasani. A car was seen parked 100 meters away from the PS at 9:30 a.m. There were three people in that car, allegedly supporters of a party, who were greeting and talking to voters. The car remained parked in the vicinity of the PS for 2 hours.
• PS 32/10 Stefan Voda, Cioburciu. At 11:24 a.m., a voter broke the secret ballot rule by shouting out loud who he had voted for. He left the PS after having been called on to by the PEB Chairperson.
• PS 1/362, Italy, Pesaro Urbino. An A4 sheet of paper was stuck on the PS door with a negative message to a candidate.
• PS 1/329, Russian Federation, Moscow. One observer assigned by a candidate was sworn at and verbally assaulted by another observer.

Deficient operation of Elections SAIS (suspended functionalities; situations where Elections SAIS showed that the voter had voted, although the latter claimed he had not) – 16 cases.

• PS 14/1 Drochia, Drochia. The operator did not let the voter vote because Elections SAIS showed that the voter had already voted. In his turn, the voter claimed he had not voted, but that he had already been searched in the system in another PS, where he had been referred to this PS. The PEB Chairperson called CEC. The operators of both PSs were required to provide written explanations.
• PS 32/28 Stefan Voda, Stefanesti. Internet connection was gone for about 5-7 minutes.
• PS 37/33 Transnistrian region, Floresti. The birth date of a voter was inconsistent with his birth date in the Elections SAIS. The PEB Chairperson asked him to go to the PSA to have this inconsistency addressed.
• PS 01/092 Chisinau, Buiucani. One voter was not allowed to vote. He was told to go to another PS, according to the Elections SAIS. However, the voter was able to prove on the basis of his identity documents that his address was in the area of this PS. Before this incident, the voter had already gone to vote/check in two other polling stations.
• PS 01/137, Chisinau, Center. Elections SAIS showed that the voter who showed up in the PS was supposed to vote in another PS. This voter was told the same in the second PS he went to, having been referred back to the first PS. When the voter showed up for the second time at the first PS, Elections SAIS displayed that he had already voted, although no stamp confirming it had been applied in his ID loose leaf. After a double check, the voter was allowed to cast his vote.
• PS 36/9 Gagauzia ATU, Comrat. An internet connection issue occurred at 7:30 a.m., which made it impossible to access Elections SAIS. At 8:05 a.m., the PEB Chairperson decided to let voters in without having to register with the SAIS operators. SAIS resumed operation at 8:20 a.m.
• PS 26/31 Rezina, Pripiceni-Razesi. A person who showed up at the PS was told by the SAIS operators that he had already voted and that the could not cast another vote. The voter claimed he hadn’t voted. The PEB Chairperson informed CEC about it, and was told by the latter that an error had occurred. The voter was not allowed to vote in this PS.
• PS 1/362, Italy, Pesaro Urbino. Despite stable internet connection, SAIS operators did not have access to Elections SAIS for about 20 minutes at around 10:50 a.m.
• PSs 37/32, 37/33, 37/34 and 37/35 transnistrian region, Floresti, Sanatauca. For several voters from the transnistrian region the data in the ID card was inconsistent with the data in the Elections SAIS. Many had expired ID cards or the birth dates were not the same. Voters in such situations were referred to the PSA, where queues formed immediately.
• PS 37/6 transnistrian region, Anenii Noi, Gura Bicului. The operators were not able to access Elections SAIS on one of the computers. It became possible only after SA ‘Moldtelecom’ staff addressed the situation.
• PS 37/25 transnistrian region, Dubasari, Cocieri. The birth date of several voters from the transnistrian region was inconsistent with the one from Elections SAIS. Having consulted with CEC on these matters, the voters concerned were allowed to vote. All these cases were recorded by the PEB members.
• PS 1/22 Chisinau, Botanica. The ID scanner didn’t work, so the operators had to introduce the data manually.
• PS 18/026, Floresti, Cunicea. Two voters (spouses) who live on the same address, were supposed to vote in two different PSs according to Elections SAIS. The STO reported it was not an one-off case.

Deficiencies in the lists of voters (inconsistent addresses; deceased voters; signatures in the wrong place – for other people) – 13 cases.

• PS 37/22 Transnistrian region, Criuleni. One voter placed his signature above another voter’s signature, then made another signature in the right place in line with his name. The PEB Chairperson drew up a protocol on this instance.
• PS 37/35 Transnistrian region, Floresti, Sanatauca. In one case, the address of the voter from the ID card was not the same as the address in the SRV. The PEB Chairperson asked the voter to go the PSA, right next to the PS, to have the information corrected first. The voter concerned in this instance managed to cast his vote afterwards.
• PS 14/6 Drochia, Drochia. According to the electronic lists of voters in Elections SAIS, voters appeared assigned to a different PS. The voters were able to cast their vote on the basis of additional voter lists.
• PS 2/22 Balti, Balti. At 9:14 a.m. a voter found that her son –  who had passed away 19 years ago – appeared on the list of voters. When she raised this issue, the PEB Chairperson informed her about the procedure for removing him from the list of voters.
• PS 9/41 Calarasi, Tuzara. At 9:50 a.m. a woman who came to exercise her constitutional right was not on the lists of voters. The PEB Chairperson informed her that she was to go to the Mayor’s Office to inquire into why she was not on the list. This voter was neither suggested another way to cast her vote, nor was she referred to another PS on the list of which she could be found. She was not able to vote.
• PS 25/011 Orhei, Orhei. Having checked the Elections SAIS, some voters were told by the operators that they were not on the lists of that PS and that they were supposed to vote in the PS they were assigned to. However, the voters claimed that they have always been voting in that particular PS.
• PS 18/026 Floresti, Cunicea. Having checked the Elections SAIS, some voters were told by the operators that they were not on the lists of that PS and that they were supposed to vote in the PS they were assigned to. However, the voters claimed that they have always been voting in that particular PS.
• PS 21/049 Ialoveni, Vasieni. A person was not on the list and was informed that he/she was supposed to go to another PS.
• PS 01/092 Chisinau, Buiucani. Two voters (mother and son) informed the PS staff that the address in the list of voters was incomplete/incorrect compared to the one in their ID cards. Ultimately, they did not vote.
• PS 1/51 Chisinau, Botanica. One voter found in the lists of voters the name of his daughter who had passed away several years ago. He also had her certificate of death. The PEB Chairperson informed the voter that he/she could not make changes to the lists of voters and that the man had to raise this issue with the PSA.
• PS 01/035 Chisinau, Botanica. One voter informed the PEB members that the name of a deceased person (neighbour) was on the lists of voters.
• PS 32/21 Stefan Voda, Popeasca – PEB members found inconsistencies between the Elections SAIS – regarding 89 voters (supposed to vote in this PS) and the lists of voters that only had 87 voters.
• PS 1/54 Chisinau, Botanica. One voter found the name of her deceased husband on the lists of voters. The PEB Chairperson asked for the certificate of death, but the voter left saying she was of advanced age and was not going to return that day.

Unjustified group voting (2 or more people were in the voting booth at the same time) – 9 cases

• PS 6/17 Briceni, Corjeuti. At 8.35 a.m. a man older than 60, wearing glasses and potentially with vision impairment, came in accompanied by a person. They both entered the voting booth. Shortly after, another voter from the neighbouring booth joined them. There were thus 3 people in the voting booth at the same time. The PEB Chairperson addressed the situation immediately. Only the voter was left in the booth.
• PS 16/38 Edinet, Hlinaia. At 9:50 a.m., two persons (relatives) entered the booth together having explained the PEB Chairperson that the voter was visually impaired.
• PS 18/026, Floresti, Cunicea. During the time that one voter was exercising his right to vote, an PEB member approached the booth to change the ink pad and had allegedly told the voter who to vote for. The PEB Chairperson made no comments with regards to it.
• PS 8/5 Cantemir, Baimaclia. Two persons entered one booth together at 10:50 a.m. None of them appeared to have vision issues. The PEB Chairperson addressed the situation by demanding that one of them leave the booth. One single voter remained in the booth as a result.
• PS 16/27 Edinet, Chetrosica Noua. At 9:55 a.m., two aged voters (spouses) entered the booth together. The PEB Chairperson warned them about it, but the voters paid no attention. The wife voted for both of them.
• PS 01/029 Chisinau, Botanica. Three voters cast their votes together. They consulted one another about who to vote for. The PEB members urged them several times to separate.
• PS 1/105 Chisinau, Buiucani. The elderly wife was allowed to stand next to her elderly husband. However, when the husband was about to vote, she leaned in and told him to put the stamp on the ‘fourth option’. The PEB Chairperson and members called on them but the vote had already been cast.
• PS 1/74 Chisinau, Buiucani. An elderly woman entered the booth together with another person, although she had come in the company of another elderly person. The PEB members tried to tackle it and warned them about the inappropriateness of that situation.
• PS 1/ 154 Chisinau, Ciocana. At 9:42 a.m., one voter neared another voter who was in the booth and told him to vote for a candidate. The PEB took action on own motion and that person left the polling station.

Taking pictures of the ballot papers, other violations of the secret ballot (submission of ID card on the basis of which the voter had already voted, inappropriate laying out of booths because of which one could see who other voters cast their vote for) – 13 cases.

• PS 37/3, Transnistrian region, Anenii Noi. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The PEB members did not notice the incident.
• PS 21/041 Ialoveni, Suruceni. One voter took a selfie in the voting booth. The PEB Chairperson asked him to exit the voting booth. The observer mentioned that several voters who cast their vote in this PS came out of the booth holding the ballot paper so that it showed who they voted for.
• PS 01/253, Chisinau, Cricova. A voter made a picture of his ballot paper after having cast his vote. An observer informed the PEB Chairperson about it. The voter deleted the picture upon request to this end.
• PS 01/054 Chisinau, Botanica. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper on which he had just expressed his vote and beckoned the observer of a candidate. The PEB members did not manage to do anything about it because the voter hurried to leave the PS.
• PS 01/035 Chisinau, Ghidighici. One voter took a picture of his ballot paper. The PEB Chairperson acted on own motion and made the voter delete the picture, which the Chairperson checked it personally.
• PS 01/041 Chisinau, Botanica. One voter was taking pictures of the polling station inside, of the observers and PEB members, voters, and also tried to take a picture of his ballot paper. The voter was apprehended by the police.
• PS 01/029 Chisinau, Botanica. One voter took a picture of his ballot paper after they cast his vote. The PEB members did not manage to do anything about it because the voter hurried to leave the PS.
• PS 11/024, Cimislia, Gura Galbenei. The observer of an election candidate was seen taking pictures of voting booths while the voters were casting their votes.
• PS 20/002 Hincesti, Hincesti. A voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The PEB Chairperson demanded that the picture be deleted from the phone.
• PS 27/3 Riscani, Riscani. After having expressed his choice on the ballot paper, a voter had demonstratively let it fall into the ballot box while having a picture taken by a person that he had come to the polling station with. Neither the PEB Chairperson, nor other PEB members responded to this situation.
• PS 1/ 266 Chisinau, Vadul lui Voda. At 9:25 a.m., a voter approached an observer and asked him – while holding out his ballot paper – whether he voted correctly. It wasn’t clear whether the voter meant the whole voting procedure or the candidate he voted for. Both the observers and the PEB Secretary reprimanded him.
• PS 32/3 Stefan Voda, Stefan Voda. The voting booth for people with special needs was placed next to the window which allows others to see who the voter voted for.
• PS 25/009 Orhei, Orhei. A voter found a ballot paper in the voting booth. The PEB Chairperson decided to put it in the ballot box.

Unjustified termination/suspension of voting at the polling station – 6 cases.

• PS 17/007 Falesti, Albinetul Vechi. The electricity was out from 9:40 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Voting was put on hold throughout the blackout, and the voters were prohibited from entering the PS.
• PS 1/37 Chisinau, Botanica. Voting was stalled for 10-12 minutes at around 10 a.m. for a disinfection break. As a result, 12 people had to wait for the PS to resume its work.
• PS 1/58 Chisinau, Botanica. Voting was stalled for about 15 minutes at around 10 a.m. for a disinfection break.
• SV 1/353 Germany, Kassel. At around 8 a.m., the PS Chairperson was informed by the local authorities that the PS was to be shut down because of the long queue outside of it. The solution was to let in 3 people at a time.
• PS 35/72 Ungheni, Valea Mare. At 12:05 p.m., an ECC representative showed up at the PS to unseal the backup ballot box that had two seals and to add another seal to a box that already had three seals. Voting was suspended through out this activity. A protocol was developed with regards to this matter subsequently. Voting had been paused for about 6 minutes.
• PS 1/30 Chisinau, Botanica. Voting was stalled for about 10 minutes for a disinfection break.

Restricting the observers’ access or preventing the free observation process at the polling station – 1 case.

• SV 16/3 Edinet, Edinet. The Promo-LEX observer had been kept by the PEB Chairperson outside the PS because he allegedly had a temperature of 37 °C. Having been taken the temperature several times, the observer was allowed inside the PS when the thermometer showed 36 °C.

Failure to observe COVID-19 protection and prevention measures – 25 cases.

• PS 37/39 Transnistrian region, Rezina. The voters from the Transnistrian region formed queues at the PS. They did not observe the COVID-19 protection measures. The crowed spread out when the police turned up.
• PS 28/4, Singerei, Singerei. Two people who had temperatures higher than 37 °C were allowed into the PS at 8:46 a.m. and 9:06 a.m. respectively. These voters were not suggested the alternative of voting at home. The PEB Chairperson did not get involved.
• PS 32/15 Stefan Voda, Festelita. A voter who presented with fever showed up at 9:45 a.m. The PEB allowed him to vote provided that no other voter was allowed in during that time.
• PS 32/15 Stefan Voda, Festelita. A voter who presented with fever showed up at 10:20 a.m. The PEB allowed him to vote provided that no other voter was allowed in during that time.
• PS 18/001 Floresti, Floresti. Social distance was not observed and more voters were allowed in at the same time.
• PS 18/039 Floresti, Izvoare. At 7:08 a.m., the PS operators allowed in a voter who did not wear a mask. The PEB Chairperson was not in the PS. None of the PEB members offered the voter a mask.
• PS 01/194, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (5 voters, 4 voting booths). The PEB Chairperson explained that approach had been applied to avoid people queueing up outside the PS. Social distance was observed though.
• PS 01/292, Chisinau, Stauceni. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS. One PEB member forewarned the person in charge of monitoring access about it. Shortly after, the situation resolved.
• PS 01/203, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (6 voters, 3 voting booths). PEB members did nothing, the situation resolved itself.
• PS 01/242, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (8-10 voters, 3 voting booths), including social distancing not being respected. PEB members warned the voters, however, they did not comply with the requests.
• PS 10/31 Causeni, Grigorievca. Voters queued up, without complying with personal protection rules. At the same time, more voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS.
• PS 18/15 Floresti, Ciripcauti. PEB members do not comply with COVID-19 protection rules – do not wear masks/wear them incorrectly, cases of not wearing a face shield. It was not possible to take temperatures correctly due to the malfunctioning thermometer (it was changed for another) and social distancing not being respected.
• PS 1/405, Netherlands, The Hague. At arrival, no temperature was taken as a PS preparatory procedure.
• PS 18/32 Floresti, Gura Camencii. Failure to ensure social distancing inside PS between PEB members, and the accredited observers.
• PS 01/203, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (6 voters, 3 voting booths). PEB members did nothing, the situation resolved itself.
• PS 01/242, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (8-10 voters, 3 voting booths), including social distancing not being respected. PEB members warned the voters, however, they did not comply with the requests.
• PS 01/197, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (there are always 5 voters, 2 voting booths though).
• PS 01/194, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (6 voters, 4 voting booths).
• PS 32/33 Stefan Voda, Volintiri. During the election day, the PEB  chairperson allowed inside the PS 9 elderly persons, without them wearing protective masks.
• PS 33/7 Taraclia, Tvardita. At 10:37 a.m., about 6 voters without a protection mask were allowed inside the PS.
• PS 1/213 Chisinau, Rascani. Multiple cases when the number of voters in the polling station was higher than the number of voting booths. At 9:30 a.m., there were 7 voters inside the polling station with 4 voting booths. The PEB Chairperson did not do anything about it.
• PS 32/3 Stefan Voda, Stefan Voda. At 11:05 a.m. more than 6 voters were allowed inside the polling station with only 4 voting booths.
• PS 1/183 Chisinau, Ciocana. Two voters refused their temperatures to be taken and at the request to keep their social distance, they refused too, and in the end they refused to vote.
• PS 18/64 Floresti, Tirgul Vertiujeni. Inside the PS, which is equipped with 2 voting booths, there were 5 voters at the same time.
• PS 12/27, Criuleni, Magdacesti. The voters in the queue at the entrance of the PS do not keep the social distance.

Ballot boxes were not sealed according to the legal procedures/tearing/damage or absence of seals on ballot boxes — 8 cases.

• PS 30/42, Straseni, Sireti. The stationary ballot box was sealed with only 2 seals.
• PS 33/9 Taraclia, Tvardita. One of the stationary ballot boxes was not sealed.
• PS 33/28 Taraclia, Valea Perjei. One of two stationary ballot boxes was not sealed.
• PS 6/9 Briceni, Berlinti. The stationary ballot box was sealed with 3 seals only. PEB Chairperson PEB argued that they do it all the time.
• PS 29/30 Soroca, Dubna. One of the stationary ballot boxes has 2 seals only.
• PS 1/443, Denmark, Copenhagen. As the ballot box offered to the PS is different from the ones used in the Republic of Moldova, only two seals could be applied.
• PS 1/325, Russian Federation, Moscow. As the ballot box is not typical of those used by CEC in the Republic of Moldova, it was sealed using a sealing wax.
• PS 32/19 Stefan Voda, Olanesti. The mobile ballot box is not sealed. PEB members justified this situation with the fact that there were not registered any people willing to vote from home.

Interrupted video recording of electoral procedures for polling station opening or procedures of ballot papers counting – 4 cases.

• PS 1/383, Italian Republic, Bergamo. As it was not possible to connect the video camera, the preparation procedures were not recorded.
• PS 01/092 Chisinau, Buiucani. The recording of the preparation for polling station opening started at 6.50 a.m., when all actions were already performed. The video camera remained on after the opening of the polling station. The PEB chairperson was informed, but no measures were taken.
• PS 1/329, Russian Federation, Moscow. As it was not possible to connect the video camera, the PS preparation was recorded with a phone.
• PS 27/7 Riscani, Costesti. Video camera keeps working during the day.

Other – 10 cases

• Chisinau municipality – Individuals, introducing themselves as activists of a certain party, call voters and ask them if they have already voted. When asked where they got the phone number, the individual who is calling says the lists are provided by the party.
• PS 1/377, Italy, Treviso. A ballot paper with a cast vote was found on the floor of the PS. The PEB chairperson collected the ballot paper in order to annul it. It was not possible to identify the voter who lost the ballot paper.
• PSs 37/20 and 37/21, transnistrian region, Causeni, Hagimus In the surrounding area of the PS there were no indicators that could help voters to find its geographical location.
• PS 37/6 transnistrian region, Anenii Noi, Gura Bicului. At 10:45 a.m., the residents of Gura Bicului village protested against organising a PS for voters from the transnistrian region in their community.
• PS 10/4 Causeni, Grigorievca t. At 9.35 a.m. a voter placed the ballot paper in the ballot box without filling it in. The observers noted that and informed the PEB chairperson. The latter called immediately the voter who went out of the PS. The voter was given another ballot paper, in compliance with all the procedures.
• PS 37/13 transnistrian region, Causeni. At 08:42 a.m., a voter came to the PS with his own and his wife’s identity cards and requested to vote on her behalf. After he was given a negative answer, he asked how much he would be paid if he voted. After telling him that there is no reward for voting, PEB members collected the voter’s identity data and asked him where he got such information from. The voter told that he saw on TV that he could get 20 Euro if he voted for a candidate. The individual refused ‘to vote for free’ and went to another PS from the same building.
• Transnistrian region, Rezina. At 07:32 a.m., a group of citizens intended to block the access to the bridge in order to not allow citizens on the left bank of the Nistru river to vote.
• Transnistrian region, Floresti. At 08:37 a.m., in the proximity of the control point in Sanatauca v., a group of supporters of a candidate blocked the access of a car with transnitrean registration numbers. After the police intervened, the respective group allowed the mentioned car to pass.
• PS 01/082, Chisinau, Buiucani. A voter asked for another ballot paper given that he made a note with his pen instead of applying the stamp on his first ballot paper. PEB members refused to provide him another ballot paper. The voter submitted a complaint.
• PS 17/046, Floresti, Obreja Veche. From 10:15 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. the electricity went out. The voting process was not interrupted.

The press release is developed as part of the Observation Mission for the Elections of the President of the Republic of Moldova on 1 November 2020 and 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.

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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]