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: 7:00 p.m.

Promo-LEX Observation Mission of the Presidential Election in the Republic of Moldova of 1 November 2020 informs that as of 7:00 p.m. the Mission had received 446 incident reports from observers, Promo-LEX analytical team processed 366 reports, and this press release contains information on 170 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,

Intimidating observers or preventing the free observation process at the polling station – 3 cases.

• PS 28/4, Singerei, Singerei. Promo-LEX observer was intimidated by PEB Chairperson, who together with the police officer told that the incident should not be reported, but rather the PEB Chairperson should have been notified to solve the situation.
• PS 32/10 Stefan Voda, Cioburciu. At 4:55 p.m., after the Promo-LEX observer returned from break, he was intimidated and threatened by PEB Chairperson. The Chairperson told that the observer was not allowed to take pictures and to report incidents before consulting the PEB members, and if he does so he would run into troubles.
• PS 28/3, Singerei, Singerei. The thermometer used by the PS showed 37 for a Promo-LEX observer. At a different polling station, the same observer was measure the temperature and everything was fine. After returning back, the observer’s temperature was measured frequently, stating that he was suspicious.

Unjustified presence of unauthorised persons inside or within 100 m from the polling station – 10 cases

• PS 18/001 Floresti, Floresti. The Mayor of Floresti spent 10 minutes inside the PS because of the periodic power blackouts. The issue was still unsolved at the time this was reported.
• PS 16/043, Edinet, Ruseni. The President of Edinet District entered the PS and had a 5-minute discussion with the PEB Chairperson and left afterwards.
• PS 9/7 Calarasi, Calarasi town. After 1 p.m., after having cast their votes, 8 voters entered together the building next to the PS where the PEB members were having lunch. They were acquaintances, friends of the PEB members. The PEB Chairperson did not do anything about it, he talked to them too.
• PS 36/55 Gagauzia ATU, Copceac. At around 9:30 a.m. 4 people were seen about 50 meters away from the PS. They were meeting voters and filling out lists. Once the PEB Chairperson was informed about it, they left.
• PS 33/1 Taraclia, Taraclia. At around 9:50 a.m., a mobile unit selling protection equipment (masks, gloves, sanitisers) and office supplies was seen in the radius of 70 m away from the PS. Once the police was informed about it, the unauthorised sellers left upon such request from the police.
• PS 34/5, Telenesti, Banesti. A representative of a candidate was seen between 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the gate to the premises of the PS – 50 m away from the PS. He was filling out lists. The STO informed the PEB Chairperson about it. The latter asked the person concerned to leave.
• PS 27/25 Riscani, Hiliuti. At 1:45 p.m., an MP came in a Toyota. He talked to an PEB member. This MP was not assigned to this PS by place of his residence.
• PS 36/8 Gagauzia ATU, Comrat. Starting with 9:00 a.m., a woman was seen periodically nearing the PS and sitting on a bench 15 m away from the entrance to the PS. She was holding a notebook with leaflets and lists with voters’ personal data. When the PEB Chairperson was informed about it at 4:00 p.m., she was asked to leave the area of the PS. The woman left and threw away the leaflets with messages in favour of a particular candidate, as well as the lists with voters’ personal data.
• PS 1/379, Italy, Mestre. A person – identified by the PEB Chairperson as a volunteer, was seen periodically on the territory of the PS. It was found out that he was an acquaintance of an PEB member and also helped PEB members to set up the PS.
• PS 4/39, Anenii Noi, Varnita. At around 1:15 p.m., in the area of 100 m from the PS, a woman was seen approaching elderly voters and explaining something by fingers and putting down some information in a notebook.

Rumors, attempts or even situations of in-kind or cash rewards offered to voters within the distance of 100 m from the polling station in order to influence them – 4 cases.

• PS 37/36 transnistrian region, Rezina. The observer, who was next to the PS door, overheard a voter asking the person accompanying him: ‘Where can I collect the 800 lei I was promised…?’. The voter was given a sign by the latter to wait until they will have left the PS.
• PS 37/3 transnistrian region, Rezina. The observer overheard in the hallway of the PS two voters concurring who to vote for according to the instructions they were given. One of them was expected to vote for a particular candidate, and the second – for another candidate. With regards to when they were supposed to collect the money, the answer was that they were to receive it later, in the car, after they provide proof of their votes.
• PS 33/25 Taraclia, Novosiolovca. At 11:20 a.m., a voter told the Promo-LEX observer that there was a Nissan (registration plate CDY 003) 60 m away from the PS. The voter said that its driver was offering money in exchange for a vote for a particular candidate. Once the PEB Chairperson became aware of it, that person left the PS vicinity at 2:15 p.m.
• PS 25/37 Orhei, Isacova. A mobile store was seen less than 100 m away from the PS. The PEB Chairperson announced the law enforcement officers about it. It was thereafter relocated.

Organised voter transportation (by buses, passenger vans or other vehicles that wouldn’t normally be around) – 21 cases.

• PS 11/038 Cimislia, Porumbrei. A green passenger van with registration plate ZZ K 266 was seen bringing voters to the PS. The voters claimed they lived in the neighbouring village and that they were transported only because the PS was far away. The van was seen twice.
• PS 36/8 Gagauzia ATU, Comrat. At 11:00 a.m., an Opel with vehicle registration plate GE BF 301 was seen 20-30 meters away from the PS. It transported voters and it still continues. The car was seen at least four times. When the PEB Chairperson was notified, he answered that it was not within his powers to address the situation.
• PS 25/045 Orhei, Malaiesti. A grey Toyota Yaris with vehicle registration plate PS 873 was seen transporting voters at 1.00 p.m. and 3.09 p.m. It was transporting elderly voters for whom commuting was difficult. The driver was a councillor.
• PS 37/9, transnistrian region, Anenii Noi, Varnita. A yellow van was seen several times transporting people from the transnistrian region to the PS. About 30 voters were transported to the PS in total. The van did not return after the law enforcement officers showed up.
• PS 37/36 transnistrian region, Rezina. Two vans came from Ribnita bringing about 30 voters from the transnistrian region. Vehicle registration plates: T959ET, P862CD.
• PSs 37/17 and 37/18, transnistrian region, Causeni, Copanca. A van that made several trips was involved in organised voter transportation from the transnistrian region. About 25 people were transported. Vehicle registration plate C097НТ. Another car with vehicle registration plate C266СВ came twice and brought 4 people each time. Other cases also involved sedan cars transporting 3-4 people to vote.
• PS 37/38 and 37/39, transnistrian region, Rezina. Vehicles with vehicle registration plates Р183СТ, Р672ЕА, Р274СР were seen transporting voters from the transnistrian region in an organised manner. Each of these vehicles was seen 2-3 times bringing 4 people each time. These vehicles were seen periodically around other PSs in Rezina. Upon arrival, the voters are given packages with a mask and gloves. All packages are identical.
• PS 37/22 transnistrian region, Criuleni. A car was seen at 10.13 a.m. and then again at 12.20 p.m. transporting voters from Dubasari, left bank of Nistru River (5 voters each time). Vehicle registration plate E951.
• PS 37/18 transnistrian region, Causeni, Copanca. The following vehicles transported voters from the transnistrian region: VW golf С459ЕМ, Fiat С832СР, Mercedes С253ЕМ. These cars commute between the customs and the PS. The employees of the MRT customs hand out packages with protective masks, gloves and pens to the citizens leaving the transnistrian region. A group of veterans positioned at the customs is watching cars coming from the transnistrian region. The vehicles are also checked by the police.
• PS 37/33 transnistrian region, Floresti, Sanatauca. A vehicle with registration plate K416AX commuted between Camenca and the PS 3 times, bringing 2-3 voters each time.
• PS 37/33 transnistrian region, Rezina. Two cars with registration plates VW Р178ВТ and Т448ВМ travelled 3 times to the PS, bringing 3-4 voters each time.
• PS 37/23 transnistrian region, Criuleni. A car with registration plates E056BM travelled 4 times to the PS bringing each time 3 people from the bridge in Ustia.
• PS 37/28 and 37/29 transnistrian region, Dubasari, Dorotcaia. Passenger van В518АК made two tript, bringing 4 persons each time.
• PS 1/329, Russian Federation, Moscow. Several people travelled to and from the PS by the same bus, in an organised manner.
• PS 37/33 transnistrian region, Floresti, Sanatauca. The cars Reno K416AX, Lada R146AT, Mercedes C395BT brought voters from Camenca in an organised manner.
• PS 37/18 transnistrian region, Causeni, Copanca. A VW with registration plates C459EM came 4 times to the PS bringing each time 4 voters from the transnistrian region.
• PSs 37/20 and 37/21, transnistrian region, Causeni, Hagimus. A van with registration plate VJA 647 was involved in the organised transportation of 9 voters from Bender.
• PS 37/3 transnistrian region, Anenii Noi. A high traffic of cars with transnistrian registration plates was reported.
• PSs 37/38 and 37/39, transnistrian region, Rezina. A VW Р543СР was involved in organised voter transportation. It was seen at least 5 times, bringing 5 voters each time.
• PS 37/33 transnistrian region, Floresti, Sanatauca. A Reno with registration plate K144 was involved in organised regular transportation of voters.
• PS 37/25 transnistrian region, Dubasari, Cocieri. One STO overheard at the PS door voters who had just voted talking about going to a place not far from the PS, where the vehicles that brought them were waiting to take them back home.

Acts of violence or bullying against voters or other persons — 1 case.

• PS 37/10, transnistrian region, Anenii Noi, Varnita. At about 12 p.m., a group of local inhabitants engaged in a dispute with voters from the transnistrian region. The dispute was resolved when the police showed up.

Presence of advertising materials, electoral billboards and posters in the vicinity of the polling station (within the area of 100 m from the PS) – 15 cases.

• PS 7/6 Cahul, Cahul. Posters of a candidate were found less than 100 meters away from the PS. The PEB Chairperson was informed about it.
• PS 4/28, Anenii Noi, Mereni. A large advertising billboard of a candidate was spotted less than 100 meters away from the PS. The PEB Chairperson informed the observer that the billboard was in fact located farther than 100 meters away from the PS.
• PS 27/023 Riscani, Galaseni. Election posters in favour of a candidate are displayed at about 30 meters from the entrance of the PS.
• PS 18/071, Floresti, Zaluceni. Within the area of 100m from the PS, A4 folded leaflets promoting two candidates are displayed on the information board.
• PS 18/12, Floresti, Bahrinești. A4 folded leaflets promoting two candidates are displayed at 60m from the PS.
• PS 31/32 Vadul Rașcov, Soldanesti. At 50m from the polling station there is a board with posters in support of a candidate.
• PS 18/65, Floresti, Trifanesti. At about 80 meters distance from the PS there are boards with electoral messages in favour of four candidates.
• PS 37/4 transnistrian region, Anenii Noi, Calfa. Close to the PS there is a banner promoting a candidate.
• PS 9/36 Calarasi, Saseni. Within the area of 50 meters from the PS, billboards in favour of a candidate were noticed.
• PS 34/17, Telenesti, Ciulucani. At 2:25 p.m., in the vicinity of the PS advertising materials promoting two candidates were noticed. 10 minutes after the PEB chairperson was informed, these ones were removed.
• PS 18/61, Floresti, Stefănești. Within the area of 100 meters from the PS, a number of billboards in favour of all candidates were noticed.
• PS 1/302, Chisinau, Colonita. A candidate’s banner is displayed within 100 meters from the PS.
• PS 18/55, Floresti, Rosietici. Folded leaflets of two candidates were noticed within the area of 20 m form the PS.
• PSs 37/4 and 37/5, transnistrian region, Anenii Noi, Calfa. A candidate’s banner was noticed within 100 meters from the PS.
• PS 37/41 transnistrian region, Stefan Voda. Close to the PS there is an electoral panel promoting a candidate.

Electioneering or black PR within the radius of 100 m and/or near the polling station to influence the voters – 6 cases.

• PS 04/037, Anenii Noi, Tintareni. The local councillor was electioneering on behalf of a candidate within the area of 100 m from the PS. When seeing the Promo-LEX observer, he left.
• PS 36/19 Gagauzia ATU, Ceadar Lunga. A voter wearing a cap with a caption about a candidate entered the PS at around 11:30 a.m. The PEB members did not say anything to him.
• PS 7/53, Cahul, Pelinei. The observer saw a woman showing up periodically: at 11:00 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 4:57 p.m., less than 100 m away from the PS, electioneering and urging voters on their way to the PS to vote for a particular candidate.
• PS 9/40 Calarasi, Temeleuti. A voter posted on Facebook a picture of his ballot paper with a caption about a candidate.
• PS 18/13, Floresti, Casunca. A car with registration plate YXY 239 and the name of a candidate written on it parked at 4:20 p.m., 50 m away from the PS. It stayed at the PS for a long time.
• PS 11/5, Cimislia. The car of an PEB member was stamped with electoral stickers in favour of a candidate. It was parked the whole day near the PS.

Deficient operation of Elections SAIS (suspended functionalities; situations where Elections SAIS showed that the voter had voted, although the latter claimed he had not) – 11 cases.

• PS 14/1 Drochia, Drochia. A voter was not able to vote because he was supposed to have gone to a different PS according to the Elections SAIS, although according to his place of residence – he was supposed to vote in this PS. The voter has not voted.
• PS 15/2 Dubasari, Cocieri. A voter whose place of residence was in the area of the PS was assigned in the Elections SAIS to a PS according to the institution where she was studying. She was recorded in an additional list and cast her vote.
• PS 25/050 Orhei, Morozeni. The date of birth from voters’ ID card was inconsistent with the date of birth in the Elections SAIS. The operators noticed this inconsistency starting with 4 p.m. CEC informed them that is was a system error and that they had to make sure that the IDNP matched.
• PS 7/6 Cahul, Cahul. Although according to their place of residence 10 voters were supposed to have been assigned to PS 7/6, they were referred to another PS by the Elections SAIS.
• PS 01/125, Chisinau, Center. The Elections SAIS showed that a voter had already voted. The voter was told he was not allowed to vote again. The voter showed the PEB members the loose leaf of his ID card, where no stamp confirming he had voted had been placed and insisted that they checked again. The repeated check showed that the voter hadn’t voted and he was therefore allowed to vote.
• PS 01/232, Chisinau, Rascani. Elections SAIS didn’t work for about 15 minutes starting 4:30 p.m. The PEB Chairperson sought technical assistance. The voters were recorded on paper during the time that the system didn’t work.
• PS 01/154, Chisinau, Ciocana. A family showed up at the PS, all of them residing on the same address. One of the family members was told that according to the Elections SAIS, he was supposed to go to another PS to vote. The PEB Chairperson recommended him to call the hotline. The voter left without having voted.
• PS 27/25 Riscani, Hiliuti. A voter was neither on the list of voter, nor in Elections SAIS. The PEB officials said they knew him and that he was from that constituency. CEC was notified, the voter was included on the additional lists and voted.
• PS 1/383, Italy, Bergamo. One voter was not found in the SVR by his IDNP. It said that such a person did not exist.
• PS 37/11, transnistrian region, Anenii Noi, Varnita. There was no connection with the Elections SAIS for about 5 minutes.
• PS 1/34 Chisinau, Botanica. Starting 7:15 a.m. the connection with Elections SAIS was gone for 10 minutes. Voting was stalled for that period.

Deficiencies in the lists of voters (inconsistent addresses; deceased voters; signatures in the wrong place – for other people) – 11 cases.

• PS 01/241, Chisinau, Riscani. One voter found that a stranger was indicated as living in his apartment. The same situation happened during the previous years. Although the voter previously checked with the Multifunctional Centre of PSA, the individual was not identified. The PEB members recommended him to check one more time with the Multifunctional Centre.
• PS 16/13, Edinet, Cupcini, Chetrosica Veche. One voter noticed that someone signed instead of him on the main lists of voters. The PEB Chairperson told to the voter that an PEB member had made a mistake. The voter was allowed to cast his vote.
• PS 25/009, Orhei, Orhei. Various voters were not on the lists of voters, because they were assigned to other PSs. The situation resulted into disputes and inconveniences. Various such incidents were identified throughout the day.
• PS 01/054 Chisinau, Botanica. A voter informed PEB members that the list of voters contained the name of an individual who did not live at that address and has had residence at another address for a long time.
• PS 01/266, Chisinau, Vadul lui Voda. A voter who came at the polling station was identified in Elections SAIS, but was not identified in the voter list. The voter, irritated, left the polling station and gave up casting his vote. PEB Chairperson tried to identify him to persuade him to come back and vote.
• PS 21/014 Ialoveni, Costesti. Until the time of reporting, about 20 voters were not found on the main lists of voters because they were assigned to other PSs. This fact provoked yelling and dissatisfaction in the PSs.
• PS 9/40 Calarasi, Temeleuti. A deceased person was identified in a list of voters.
• PS 36/40 Gagauzia ATU, Cazaclia. A voter was not on the list of voters and was included in the additional lists.
• PS 32/31 Stefan Voda, Talmaza. Various voters revolted because they were not found in the lists of voters and were redirected to another PS. The voters usually voted at that polling station. Two spouses with the same residence were assigned to two different polling stations.
• PS 27/25 Riscani, Hiliuti. A voter was neither on the list of voter, nor in Elections SAIS. The PEB officials said they knew him and that he was from that constituency. CEC was notified, the voter was included on the additional lists and voted.
• PS 18/55, Floresti, Rosietici. PEB Chairperson informed the observer that residents from the neighbouring village – Rosietici Vechi, are included in the lists of voters.

Unjustified group voting (2 or more people were in the voting booth at the same time) – 3 cases

• PS 01/108, Chisinau, Buiucani. Two voters (mother and daughter) entered a single voting booth. The daughter was telling her mother who to vote for. PEB members warned them and the daughter stepped out.
• PS 13/005, Donduseni, Baraboi. One of the three ballot boxes inside the PS was sealed with 3 seals only.
• PS 01/003 Chisinau, Botanica. Two voters voted in the same voting booth having explained they were elderly, although they did not present any visual impairments.

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) – 28 cases.

• PS 18/22, Floresti, Floresti. A voter made a picture of his ballot paper in the voting booth. The PEB Chairperson warned him, which provoked a dispute. The voter introduced the ballot paper in the ballot box.
• PS 01/108, Chisinau, Buiucani. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper. When he was asked to erase the picture he refused and explained the as the right to take pictures. The police documents the case.
• PS 01/105, Chisinau, Buiucani. A voter (mother) told to another voter (son) from the neighbouring booth who to vote for. When he exited the voting booth, the son reconfirmed that he voted as he was told to.
• PS 01/029 Chisinau, Botanica. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper. When he was asked to delete the picture he refused to comply. Upon the insistence of PEB members, the voter was aggressive and threatened to tear the ballot paper in public, in front of the observers. The police was invited to the site.
• PS 01/091, Chisinau, Buiucani. One voter took a picture of his ballot paper. The observers notified the PEB members about this deviation, but they did not step in.
• PS 7/8 Cahul, Cahul t. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper. Later, after the PS members intervened, the picture was deleted.
• PS 23/031 Nisporeni, Seliste. A voter made a picture of his ballot paper in the voting booth. The PEB Chairperson responded to the situation and the picture was deleted.
• PS 20/046 Hincesti, Mingir. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper. The observers notified the PEB Chairperson about the incident. At the insistence of PEB Chairperson, the voter refused to delete the picture.
• PS 32/31 Stefan Voda, Talmaza. At 12:30 p.m. a voter took a picture of the ballot paper. Not a single PEB member did anything until the voter left the polling station.
• PS 36/8 Gagauzia ATU, Comrat. At 2:37 p.m. a voter took a picture of the ballot paper. When the PEB Chairperson was notified, he answered that he could not step in in such cases.
• PS 32/8, Straseni, Bucovat. At 3:20 p.m. a voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
• PS 36/57 Gagauzia ATU, Dezghinja. At 3:12 p.m. a voter was noticed when he took a picture of the ballot paper. After throwing the ballot paper in the ballot box, the individual was stopped by the PEB Chairperson who took his phone. The PEB Chairperson called the police. When the police arrived, the PEB Chairperson gave the phone to them.
• PS 01/087, Chisinau, Buiucani. When exiting the voting booth, the husband said to his wife, who was heading to the voting booth, who he voted for and showed in the ballot paper the candidate he chose.
• PS 01/137, Chisinau, Center. One voter took a picture of his ballot paper. The PEB Chairperson asked the voter to delete the picture and he complied.
• PS 01/105, Chisinau, Buiucani. One voter took a picture of his ballot paper in front of the polling station and observers. PEB members asked him to delete the picture in front of them and the voter complied.
• PS 01/192, Chisinau, Rascani. At 5:56 p.m. a voter took a picture of his ballot paper. One member of the PEB asked him to delete the picture.
• PS 9/40 Calarasi, Temeleuti. One voter took a picture of his ballot paper and posted it on Facebook. The PEB Chairperson warned the voters about not being allowed to take pictures of the ballot paper.
• PS 32/3 Stefan Voda, Stefan Voda. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper. After that, the PEB Chairperson asked him to delete the picture and allowed him to throw the ballot paper in the ballot box.
• PS 1/380, Italy, Milano. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
• PS 1/377, Italy, Treviso. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper, but at the PEB Chairperson’s request it was deleted.
• SV 1/349 Germany, Frankfurt on Main. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
• SV 1/353 Germany, Kassel. A voter made a picture of his ballot paper in the voting booth. He was seen by the PEB Chairperson and asked to delete the picture. The voter, revolted, left the PS after deleting the picture.
• PS 1/377, Italy, Treviso. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper, but at the PEB chairperson’s request it was deleted.
• PS 1/405, Netherlands, The Hague. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper.
• PS 37/1 transnistrian region, Chisinau. A voter made a picture of his ballot paper in the voting booth. PEB chairperson informed him that this was illegal.
• PS 37/6 transnistrian region, Anenii Noi, Gura Bicului. About 20 voters from the transnistrian region were brought to the PS in an organised manner.
• PS 37/1 transnistrian region, Chisinau. One voter took a picture of the ballot paper with the mark ‘voted’ on it. PEB Secretary reprimanded him but he replied that being a lawyer he knows his rights – all this in a raised voice. The PEB chairperson stressed it once again, but to no avail.
• PS 37/1 transnistrian region, Chisinau. In response to a voter taking a picture of the ballot paper PEB members reprimanded him without insisting that the picture be deleted. The voter threw the ballot in the ballot box and left the PS.

Unjustified termination/suspension of voting at the polling station – 5 cases.

• PS 18/012, Floresti, Bahrinești. Between 5:14 p.m. and 5:17 p.m., the electricity in the PS went out, during which time the voting process was interrupted. After the electricity supply restarted, the voting process was resumed.
• PS 7/60 Cahul, Vadul lui Isac. The voting process was stalled for 5 minutes to carry out the disinfection. PEB members stated that they did this 3 times during the day.
• PS 11/5, Cimislia. The car of an PEB member was stamped with electoral stickers in favour of a candidate. It was parked the whole day near the PS.
• PS 1/1 Chisinau, Botanica. The voting process is stopped for 10 minutes for disinfection – during which time all voters are asked to wait outside.
• PS 1/14 Chisinau, Botanica. During the 10-15 minutes breaks for premises disinfection the voting process is stopped, during which the voters are not allowed to enter the PS and vote.

Failure to observe COVID-19 protection and prevention measures – 37 cases.

• PS 19/017, Glodeni, Cuhnesti. The PEB chairperson did not allow a voter to enter the PS for not having a protection mask. The voter left without voting.
• PS 32/033 Stefan Voda, Volintiri. The voters’ temperatures are not taken when entering the PS. After some discussions among PEB members, taking the temperature was resumed.
• PS 18/065, Floresti, Trifanesti. The body temperature register is missing in the PS.
• PS 01/154, Chisinau, Ciocana. A voter refused his temperature to be taken – as a result he decided not to vote at all.
• PS 11/024, Cimislia, Gura Galbenei. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS.
• PS 01/190, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (15 voters, 3 voting booths). PEB members stepped in and asked the voters to wait outside the PS until they were invited to vote.
• PS 01/203, Chisinau, Riscani. Inside the PS there are consistently more voters than the number of voting booths – as a result it gets crowded. PEB members did nothing.
• PS 01/292, Chisinau, Stauceni. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (10 voters, 4 voting booths). PEB Chairperson solved the issue at that time.
• PS 01/196, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (7 voters, 2 voting booths). PEB Chairperson stepped in and blocked the access for other voters until the number of people within PS decreased.
• PS 01/195, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (5 voters, 2 voting booths). PEB Chairperson asked a few voters to leave the PS, in order to be invited later.
• PS 01/291, Chisinau, Stauceni. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS. PEB members did nothing, the crowd spread out by itself.
• PS 9/7 Calarasi, Calarasi. Three voters expressed their vote at 2:00 p.m., even their temperature was above 37.2. The access was allowed by the doctor at the entrance. PEB Chairperson was not present at that time and knows nothing about the incident. Additionally, an operator within PS had fever higher than 37.2.
• PS 10/41 Causeni, Taraclia. There were 6 persons and 3 voting booths in the PS. The PEB Chairperson did not do anything about it.
• PS 9/7 Calarasi, Calarasi town. A lady wearing incorrectly her mask entered the PS. She was wearing it on the hand. Although she was warned by the PEB Chairperson, the voter refused to wear the mask. The lady expressed her right to vote, but without wearing properly the protection mask.
• PS 32/21 Stefan Voda, Popeasca. At 1:59 p.m. the observer noticed that neither voters, nor PEB members kept the social distance of 1 meter.
• PS 32/21 Stefan Voda, Popeasca. At 4:00 p.m. more than 7 voters were allowed inside the PS, but there are 3 voting booths in the polling station. The social distance is not observed.
• PS 10/36 Causeni, Plop Stiubei. At 4:15 p.m., a voter with fever higher than 37 showed up at the PS. The Chairperson informed the voter that he cannot create individual condition for him to vote in the PS, and the mobile ballot box was already gone. The voter has not voted.
• PS 10/4 Causeni, Causeni. At 4:45 p.m. there were 12 voters, although the polling station had 5 voting booths. The PEB Chairperson did nothing about it.
• PS 18/071, Floresti, Zaluceni. More voters than the number of voting booths were inside the PS. The PEB Chairperson did not step in.
• PS 32/011 Stefan Voda, Copceac. More voters than the number of voting booths entered inside the PS (6 voters, while in the PS were 3 voting booths).
• PS 01/193, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (8 voters, while in the PS were 3 voting booths). PEB members solved the issue.
• PS 01/213, Chisinau, Riscani. More voters than the number of voting booths were allowed inside the PS (12 voters, while in the PS there were 4 voting booths only). PEB members did nothing in order to solve the issue.
• PS 18/65, Floresti, Trifanesti. The social distance is not observed at the entrance of the PS.
• PS 37/12, transnistrian region, Anenii Noi, Varnita. The social distance is not observed at the entrance of the PS.
• PS 18/44, Floresti, Lunga. Some observers do not respect the social distance and do not wear properly the protection mask.
• PS 32/21 Stefan Voda, Popeasca. At 5:41 p.m. more than 6 voters were allowed inside the PS with 3 voting booths. The physical distancing is not observed.
• PS 37/3, transnistrian region, Anenii Noi. At 11:18 a.m there were 6 persons in the PS, though there are only 2 voting booths.
• PS 18/59, Floresti, Sevirova. The failure to observe the social distancing between PEB members was reported.
• PS 37/36 transnistrian region, Rezina. Six voters entered the PS, although there are only 2 voting booths. Moreover, 2 observers from parties were not wearing the mask within the PS.
• PS 31/26, Soldanesti, Raspopeni. The voters were queueing up at the entrance of the PS, without wearing masks or observing the social distance.
• PS 18/37, Floresti, Iliciovca. The social distancing between PEB members is not observed.
• PS 18/65, Orhei, Floresti, Trifanesti. The social distancing between PEB members is not observed.
• PS 18/28, Floresti, Frumusica. The failure to respect the social distancing between PEB members and observers from political parties was noticed.
• PS 18/52, Floresti, Prodanesti. The register on monitoring the PEB members’ temperature is missing, and the PEB Chairperson and a member are not wearing the mask properly.
• PS 16/12, Edinet, Cupcini. The temperature of PEB members is not measured within the PS. They do not wear masks, and the social distancing between observers is not ensured.
• PS 18/61, Floresti, Stefanesti. PEB Chairperson and members did not wear correctly the protection masks.
• PS 31/24, Soldanesti, Pohoarna. PEB members did not wear face shields, and there were 7 voters in the PS, though there are only 3 voting booths.
• PS 18/16, Floresti, Ciutulesti. There were 5 persons in the PS, given that there were only 3 voting booths.
• PS 6/35, Briceni, Slobozia Sirauti. The temperature is not taken, and an PEB member is not wearing the mask.

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

• PS 29/054 Soroca, Stoicani. One of the stationary ballot boxes was sealed only with one seal. PEB members said it would be used as a mobile ballot box.
• PS 2/52 Balti, Balti. At 4:55 p.m the Promo-LEX observer noted that the mobile ballot box had one damaged seal. PEB Chairperson said he would solve the issue.
• PS 31/006, Soldanesti, Gauzeni. The mobile ballot box was incorrectly sealed. PEB members affixed 2 seals on the ziplock.
• PS 06/031 Briceni, Medveja. The mobile ballot box was not sealed. PEB members said they intended to seal it when heading off to voters’ homes.
• PS 29/24 Soroca, Cosauti. The stationary ballot boxes had only 2 seals each. PEB members stated they did not know they had to affix 4 seals.
• PS 4/1, Anenii Noi, Anenii Noi town. The observer noted that the mobile ballot box had two seals instead of one.
• PS 13/5, Donduseni, Baraboi. The ballot box was sealed only with 3 seals.
• PS 6/35, Briceni, Slobozia Sirauti. The ballot boxes were sealed only with 3 seals.

Other – 7 cases

• PS 01/228, Chisinau, Rascani. A voter declared she was called by PEB members to show up at the PS in order to express her right to vote. PEB members said that they had called nobody and the accusation was unfounded. The voter has written a complaint with respect to this issue. After several accusations, the voter expressed her right to vote.
• PS 15/11 Dubasari, Oxentea. An observer was called by an unknown number. The caller introduced himself as a PSRM representative and urged him to vote, without mentioning who to vote for.
• PS 8/34 Cantemir, Hanaseni. At 3:35 p.m. the Promo-LEX observer was called by the representative of a candidate and asked if he voted. According to the representative, the phone number was selected from the list containing the signatory people supporting the candidate, although the observer has not signed such a list.
• PS 7/6 Cahul, Cahul town. At 10:20 a.m. the PEB Secretary proposed to the observers to sign the special form for vote tabulation, which had been already signed by the PEB Chairperson, stating that in the evening the schedule is going to be busy. The form was signed by several observers. Promo-LEX observer did not sign it.
• PS 01/087, Chisinau, Buiucani. As many as 3-4 polling stations are located within the ‘Onisifor Ghibu’ High School. PS inscriptions are tiny and mislead the voters. As a result it gets crowded, voters are revolting and are leaving home in whole groups without voting.
• PS 2/22 Balti, Balti. The electricity went out for a short period of time (5 minutes), and then was resumed. The process was not interrupted.
• PS 01/150, Chisinau, Buiucani. One voter voted on the basis of an ID card, but without an loose leaf. The PEB Chairperson asked him to sign an affidavit confirming that he had not voted elsewhere.

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.

The opinions set out in the public reports and press releases of Promo-LEX OM are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of funders or partners. The content of this report can be subject to editing.

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]