IIMDD IPA CIS Expert Group Completes Monitoring of Local General Elections in Republic of Moldova

On 20 October 2019, the IIMDD IPA CIS expert group of international observers, accredited by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Moldova, attended different stages of voting – from the opening of the polling stations until the vote counting by the district election bureau.

The members of the group visited 20 district election bureau in Chisinau and its suburbs and observed the counting process at two polling stations. All polling stations were attended by authorized representatives of the candidates running for mayor of Chisinau, representatives of political parties, national and international observers, and the media.

During the monitoring the members of the expert group detected minor technical deficiencies, which were not systematic. Both national and international observers were provided with the necessary conditions needed to perform their duties within the legislation.

According to the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Moldova, the average voter turnout reached 41 percent. The second round of the elections of the mayor of Chisinau will be held among the candidates who received the highest number of votes.

Based on the results of the monitoring, the IIMDD IPA CIS expert group concluded that the municipal elections in Chisinau as part of the local general elections in the Republic of Moldova had been held in accordance with generally recognized democratic principles and norms of the organizing and holding free and fair elections.