Asaf Hajiyev

News

Participation of the PABSEC delegation in the observation of local elections in the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, 20 October 2019

The PABSEC delegation composed of Mr. Petar Kanev, Head of the PABSEC Bulgarian Delegation, Mr. Otar Danelia, Head of the PABSEC Georgian Delegation and PABSEC Vice-President, Mr. Ramaz Nikolaishvili, Vice-Chair of the PABSEC Legal and Political Affairs Committee and member of the PABSEC Georgian Delegation, and Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the observation mission for local elections in the Republic of Moldova in Chisinau on 20 October 2019.

The people of the Republic of Moldova has elected 898 mayors in administrative-territorial units and 11 580 members of district, city and village councils for a four-year term. At the same time, in four single-mandate constituencies, additional elections were held for the seats in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

On Election Day, the PABSEC delegation visited several polling stations in the city of Chisinau and noted that the elections were held in a calm atmosphere, in accordance with the standards of democratic elections. The Central Election Commission conducted a pilot project to test the voter identification system at polling stations using barcode readers. On Election Day, a video surveillance system worked at some polling stations as an additional measure to ensure transparency of the voting process. The polling stations were open until 21:00 hours.

According to preliminary results, the total turnout throughout the country was 41.68%, and in the Mayor elections in Chisinau - 36.05%. According to preliminary data, out of 17 candidates for the post of the mayor of Chisinau, the candidate of the Socialist Party Mr. Ion Ceban (42.66%) and the candidate from the ACUM bloc, Mr. Andrei Năstase (30.61%) have been leading.

According to the legislation of the Republic of Moldova, the turnout threshold in general local elections is 25%. The winner is the candidate who receives more than half the votes of the voters who came to the polling stations, otherwise, the second round of elections will be held in two weeks, where the winner is determined by a simple majority. In conformity with the legislation in the second round of voting for local authorities, there is no threshold for the turnout.