Final vote results of 10 Dec 2006 Presidential elections in PMR

Smirnov's confirmed re-election, supported by more than 8 out of 10, was greeted with joy by pro-independence voters in Tiraspol

TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - On December 13, Pridnestrovie's official Central Election Commission (CEC) released the final results at the presidential election held on December 10 in which nearly 400,000 citizens were eligible to vote.

As reported by international wire services, CEC Chair Peter Denisenko announced that "after counting of all ballots, Igor Smirnov receives 82.4%, Nadezhda Bondarenko (candidate from the Communist Party) receives 8.1%. Oppositionist Andrei Safonov has 3.9%. Member of the PMR's parliament Peter Tomaily won 2.1%."

Overall, 257,810 people participated in the election, which is 66.1% of the 394,000 eligible voters. 263 polling stations were opened in the Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica, with 14 abroad. At all polling stations the election was pronounced valid.

The election process took place in a peaceful atmosphere with no incidents of any kind. International observers confirmed that the voting process corresponded with the constitution and other legislation of Pridnestrovie and international requirements. The newly elected president will be inaugurated on December 22, 2006.

Foreign reaction to the poll has been mixed. As could be expected, Moldova and its allies ruled out the legitimacy of Pridnestrovie holding an election which was not organized by central Chisinau.

However, in what a Brussels-based analyst calls a more clearheaded, objective assessment of the situation, the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs had a different view on to the presidential election:

" - The election, the active participation of voters and their consolidation around the incumbent leadership brings us the hope that the interests and concerns of the Transdnestrians will be considered seriously in the frameworks of continuing the search for political settlement of the Transdnestr problem, recommencement of the negotiation process on the basis of OSCE principles,” the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs information and press department announced, commenting on the presidential election held in Pridnestrovie (also known as Transdnestr, or Transnistria) on December 10.

The foreign ministry recalled that this was the fourth presidential election in Pridnestrovie. Like in the past, they were held on the basis of alternability; this time with a total of four candidates listed on the ballot. The election was conducted on the correct date which the constitution specifies.

“ - The voting was held in an organized manner,” the Russian foreign ministry believes. “Assessment of numerous observers at the elections representing NGOs of various European countries came to opinion that the voting was held democratically enough, without significant violations,” the statement runs. “Results of the voting confirmed that Igor Smirnov remains the recognized leader of Transdniester,” the department said. Commenting on his victory, the newly re-elected president pointed it out that most local citizens supported his platform, which is based first and foremost on the continuation of independence of the unrecognized country and a realistic view of the prospects of integration with Moldova.

See also:
» Record-breaking rally in Tiraspol as thousands celebrate Smirnov landslide

On the web:
» Profile of Igor Smirnov