Moldova elections not free and fair, opposition protests

Among Moldovans voters, many already suspected fraud as they studied their ballots in Sunday's elections (Photo: OSCE)

CHISINAU (Tiraspol Times) - According to Moldova's opposition, the ruling Communist Party stole the country's local elections held 3 June 2007. International observers seem to agree: They won't call the elections free and fair, and are questioning the regime's lack of implementation of international democratic standards.

" - Moldova used to be so-so when it came to democracy," said one of the international elections observers present during Sunday's vote. "But is has not gotten better. This last election was worse than what we have seen in the past."

Accused of stealing the vote, the Party of Communists scored the best results nationwide: If official results can be believed, the Communists got twice as many votes as their nearest rival, putting it in a comfortable no-risk lead.

In an official statement issued by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, Moldova was harshly criticized for falling short of international commitments on democratic elections.

The mission, which included nearly 200 observers under the auspices of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, cited intimidation of candidates as one of the major shortcomings.

" - There were a number of cases throughout the country where candidates faced pressure or dismissal or suspension from their jobs as a result of their political activities," said Ambassador Dieter Boden, head of the ODIHR mission, while noting that if the election had been democratic, candidates ought to have been able to "run for office on an equal basis, free from intimidation."

Observers also highlighted problems with candidate registration, voter lists, and the handling of complaints both by election bodies and by the courts.

Coalition-2007, bringing together several local rights groups, said baldly that the election "did not meet international criteria in staging free and fair elections".

The self-censoring media were criticized by international election observers for their extensive coverage of state authorities during the campaign, thereby benefiting pro-government candidates. OSCE also complained over cases where the ruling Communist authorities failed to guarantee equal conditions for all parties and candidates.

Lack of voting secrecy

In its official statement, the OSCE's election observers stated that "secrecy of the ballot was not always ensured". Privacy and voting secrecy is a fundamental principle of a free and fair election, but it was lacking in Moldova's latest vote.

In addition, large number of voters were turned away in many polling stations because of problems with their identification documents. This selective discrimination was especially prevalent in areas where the Communist authorities feared that the vote would go against them.

In addition, according to the OSCE, its observers reported a range of procedural shortcomings during the vote count.

Picking up on these errors in the vote count, the opposition in Moldova cried foul and is now accusing the government of vote fraud and conspiracy to steal the election. In one case, in Galanesti, Riscani, the ruling Communists "seeded" the ballot boxes with votes from residents who live and work abroad. Nearly one million Moldovans, out of a population of less than four million, work as gast-arbeiters outside the country and did not officially participate in the election. Their names were used to vote for Communist candidates, without their knowledge.

Centrist Union of Moldova Chairman Mihai Petrache is not ruling out his party's challenging the returns, particularly in Chisinau where he believes violations were particularly grave.

Democratic Party head Dumitru Diakov stated his party had already challenged the election returns by having submitted a whole number of protests to the Central Election Commission.

Moldova Noastra Alliance leader Serafim Urechean said the MNA would not challenge the election returns: "What's the use of seeking justice in a country where justice is in the hands of person #1 in the state?" he questioned.

The Chairman of the People's Republican Party of Moldova, Nicolae Andronic, said the PRP has already called upon international organizations to not recognize the election returns.

Social Liberal Party (SLP) Chairman MP Oleg Serebrean stated to the pollsters, for example, that the Social Liberals refused to recognize the elections as fair and valid. (With information from OSCE, Infotag)

See also:
» Moldova voters expect massive fraud in Sunday's elections
» US foreign policy org: "Moldova is a failed state"