Candidates are not taking full advantage of scheduled regional debates.  IRI LTOs have witnessed debates country-wide and noted throughout that invited participants are often foregoing the opportunity to address voters and discuss important policy issues. The absence of lively political debate restricts the voter’s ability to make  a comparison between candidates and analyze important policies that affect people’s daily lives.

Observers continued to follow developments in several official complaints and court cases related to election administration, such as cases of invalidated signatures. LTOs have analyzed and collected informative notes from various District Election Commissions (DEC) and will continue to review cases.  To date, 32 complaints have been filed at the CEC, and nine of those were focused on the denial of certain candidates’ registration. 

Precinct Electoral Commissions (PEC) have been created and are receiving training from the Central Election Commission’s (CEC) Center for Continuous Electoral Training. Observers have attended trainings in most single member districts and confirmed the trainings are well attended and taking place according to stated guidelines.

Click here for more observer impressions.

LTOs have observed a continuous increase in campaigning by candidates and parties throughout the country. Candidates and parties are using billboards, posters and leaflets in addition to person-to-person contact, including door-to-door campaigning and small meetings. Campaign events have also included concerts and distribution of party branded materials. Some interlocutors have raised concerns that some items exceed the 100 MDL limit allowed by law.

Stakeholders have reported multiple cases of vandalism to campaign materials, including posters and billboards. Authorities have investigated but in most cases they have not been able to hold the vandals accountable.

LTOs are reporting an orderly pre-election period. There  have been no reports of violence.

Moldova’s District Election Commissions (DECs) were created on time, are fully staffed and function without delays or impediments. The DEC members observed by LTOs are knowledgeable and are following electoral procedures.  IRI does have questions about the creation of several districts.

Read more on the districts here.

An LTO witnessed a public concert of a well-known international artist that was sponsored by unknown sources but featured party branding and speeches by party leaders. The potential influence of such pre-campaign activities on voter preferences remains ambiguous.

LTOs have observed voter education trainings happening throughout Moldova, and several libraries have offered materials for citizens looking to learn more about the voting process. Many of the LTOs’ interlocutors, however, believe the general public does not currently have enough information about the new electoral system.

Read more about IRI’s recommendations.

As of January 2, 2019, all 113 of Moldova’s broadcasters have submitted statements on coverage of the electoral campaign. Three broadcasters, 10 TV, Gold TV, Radio 7, were issued public warnings for failing to submit their statements on time, after which they complied with the regulatory requirements.