Promo-LEX association of Moldova signals more infringements in electoral campaign for runoff of presidential elections

Chisinau, 1 November /MOLDPRES/ - The Promo-LEX Association has signaled more irregularities as regards the carrying out of the electoral campaign for the runoff of the presidential elections, due on 3 November.  They are reflected in the fifth report of the election observation mission, which contains the findings from the period 21 October – 29 October. The head of the mission, Nicolae Panfil, unveiled the document at a news conference today.    

The report shows, mainly, the electoral campaign for the runoff of the presidential elections, the legal framework relevant for this process, the performing of the electoral contenders, as well as the activity of the electoral bodies aimed at preparing the elections due next Sunday.   

„Given that this is a shorter period of time, the findings are more summary too,’’ Nicolae Panfil said.

Thus, during 23-29 October 2024, according to Promo-LEX observers, the two electoral contenders carried out at least 268 promotion activities, of which 57 per cent were carried out for Alexandr Stoianoglo (Party of Socialists – PSRM)) and 43 per cent – by Maia Sandu (Action and Solidarity Party). The most used forms of electoral agitation were the distribution of information electoral materials, with a rate of 93 per cent and meetings with voters – 5 per cent.    

The electoral advertising was noticed in 872 situations; the most used were the printed information materials - 28 per cent, following by street advertising – 23 per cent and advertising on the Internet – 21 per cent. Depending on the location where the activities took place, most of them – 18 per cent – were in the Chisinau municipality, followed by the Balti city, with 16 per cent and Donduseni – with 7 per cent.     

At least 42 cases of hatred speech and other forms of showing intolerance were identified on 7-14 October. ‘’Forty one cases out of them took place in electoral context. The criteria ‘’political affiliation, ‘’opinion,’’ and ‘’sex/gender’’ most often stayed at the basis of hatred speeches and the men with ages between 35 and 50 years used the hatred speech most often. On this period, the cases of hatred speech were manifested through the promotion of stereotypes, sexist language, homophobe speech, promotion and justification of discrimination, as well as inciting to violent actions,’’ Nicolae Panfil said.       

For the day of election, Promo-LEX delegated by one observer for short term to 615 polling stations, selected based on a sample established by a sociological company. Besides, by one static observer was sent to those 30 polling stations where the electors from the Transnistrian region exercise their right to vote. Special attention is paid to the polling stations from abroad, where about 90 static observers were delegated. Besides the static observers, Promo-LEX detached 89 mobile teams to monitor the electoral process in the polling stations.   

The final report of the Promo-LEX election monitoring mission will be unveiled in about two months after the end of the runoff election.