Statement of the pre-electoral mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Chisinau, 27.10.2010 – A pre-electoral delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) visited Chisinau to evaluate the election campaign on the eve of the parliamentary elections of 28 November 2010. The delegation had meetings with Mr Ghimpu, acting President of Moldova and Speaker of the Parliament, the leaders of the main political parties participating in the elections, the Chairman and members of the Central Election Commission (CEC), the President of the Constitutional Court, the Chairman of the Audiovisual Co-ordinating Council, representatives of the international community, NGOs and media.
The pre-election delegation noted with satisfaction the confidence of political stakeholders in the transparent functioning of the Central Election Commission. The delegation also highlighted the improvement of the media coverage of the election campaign, including by the public broadcasters which in the past had demonstrated a tendency of assuring a media coverage predominately favourable to the ruling parties independently of their political leaning – a phenomenon which has been continually criticised by the Parliamentary Assembly. However, the delegation stressed that private TV channels should respect, whatever their sympathy, a well-balanced media coverage to avoid to become a tribune of propaganda. The pre-election delegation stresses that a number of concerns have subsisted throughout this election campaign. The delegation was informed about recurrent problems of the quality of the voters’ lists. Therefore, the delegation urges the CEC as well as the local authorities to take all necessary steps from now to 28 November to improve the quality of the voters’ lists. The delegation expressed its concern over the information it received regarding the lack of transparency of financing of the election campaign. This is essential to guaranty the fairness of the conduct of the elections and to reinforce citizens’ confidence in the democratic election process.
A number of interlocutors expressed concern about the risk of misuse of administrative resources by the authorities, the rise of tension in the run-up to the elections. In this regard, the delegation strongly condemns any attempt by local authorities, despite their political affiliation, to use administrative resources for the election campaign. The delegation calls on the political stakeholders of Moldova to abstain from any aggressive rhetoric as well as attempts to put pressure on political opponents or any other actions contrary to the principles of Code of good practice in electoral matters of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
The delegation stresses that democratic elections are not limited only to voting day. The authorities of the country and all political actors have the heavy responsibility to ensure the necessary conditions for the free expression of the will of all citizens of the Republic of Moldova.
The pre-election delegation recalls that since the Parliamentary elections on 5 April 2009 Moldova entered in a spiral of political and institutional crisis. In this regard, the delegation stresses the crucial importance of the early parliamentary elections of 28 November 2010, the results of which should allow, finally, the formation of functional State Institutions in conformity with the Constitution and permit the State authorities to concentrate their efforts on resolving the urgent problems of the citizens. After the early parliamentary elections, the leaders of the main political parties should straightway enter into a constructive, responsible dialogue in order to achieve the broadest possible consensus to resolve the crisis.
This delegation is convinced that the active participation of citizens in the elections and continuous trust in the democratic process, despite current lassitude, could contribute to bringing the political crisis to an end. The pre-electoral delegation has been assured by the authorities of Moldova, as well as by the Central Electoral Commission, that all measures will be taken to eradicate the problems identified in order to guarantee the democratic character of these early parliamentary elections. The Parliamentary Assembly will send a 30-member delegation to observe the early parliamentary elections on 28 November 2010. Members of the delegation: Indrek SAAR (Estonia, SOC), Head of the DelegationAndres HERKEL (Estonia, EPP), memberJørgen POULSEN (Denmark, alde), member |
Last Updated on Thursday, 28 October 2010 08:58 |