EU Recognizes Presidential Elections in Moldova as Democratic

Moldovan voters have demonstrated their commitment to democracy, the European External Action Service said. The OSCE/ODIHR Mission will continue to observe the elections in the second round. In the first round of the presidential elections held in the Republic of Moldova on November 1, “voters have demonstrated their commitment to democracy despite the difficult conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the European External Action Service said in a statement on Monday, November 2. As specified in the document, the European Union takes note of the preliminary findings and conclusions made within the Election Observation Mission in Moldova, which was opened there by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). In this context, reference is made to “legal gaps that undermined the effectiveness of campaign financial oversight and election-dispute resolution”, as well as accusations of “vote-buying, the illegal transportation of voters and their access to polling stations”. The EU will continue to follow developments in the run up to and during the second round of voting, and expects the Moldovan authorities to continue to facilitate “the unhindered work of international and domestic election observers.” OSCE/ODIHR Mission’s findings Earlier in the day, the website of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission in Moldova issued a statement that the presidential elections were “competitive and held within the appropriate legal framework, but frequent and belated changes, both in legislation and in administrative rules have led to legal uncertainty.” Despite some of the listed shortcomings, in general, “the electoral authorities managed the technical aspects of the elections effectively and transparently”, and “the fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly were generally respected,” the document emphasizes. The OSCE/ODIHR Mission began work on 23 September and consists of 10 experts based in Chisinau and 22 long-term observers working throughout the country. First round of presidential elections in Moldova In the first round of the presidential elections in Moldova, none of the candidates managed to become the undisputed winner. The current head of state, Igor Dodon, gains 32.61 percent of the vote after the Central Election Commission (CEC) counts 100 percent of the ballots. His main rival, the chairman of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) and former Prime Minister Maia Sandu, gets 36.16%. The turnout was about 43%. The President of Moldova is elected for a 4-year term. Igor Dodon has been in the presidential office since the end of 2016. 8 people applied for the post of head of state. The second round of elections is set on November 15.