OSCE Mission head says OSCE will follow Moldova constitutional referendum closely, urges media, political parties to behave responsibly

CHISINAU, 17 August 2010 - The Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Philip Remler, today rejected as "baseless" accusations aired on a Moldovan television programme that the OSCE is turning a blind eye to the 5 September constitutional referendum in Moldova in order to avoid being forced to admit massive falsification.

Ambassador Remler explained that the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) observes referendums only in exceptional cases. It will not send a full-fledged Observation Mission for this referendum due to financial constraints. The OSCE Mission, with the support of an ODIHR team, will follow developments.

"The OSCE has always supported the Council of Europe Venice Commission's proposals for a constitutional amendment - if necessary by referendum - followed by the election of a president and early elections for a new Parliament," Remler stated.

"We encourage people to exercise their electoral rights on 5 September. We call on the media reporting on the referendum and the political parties who are campaigning to refrain from demagogic statements and distortions."

On 5 September Moldovan voters will decide in a constitutional referendum on the re-introduction of direct presidential elections.