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Parliamentary elections in Moldova comply with international standards
CHISINAU 26 February 2001
Chisinau, 26 February 2001 - The Parliamentary elections in Moldova complied with international standards, the International Election Observation Mission in Chisinau concluded.
"These elections in Moldova consolidated a democratic trend that should continue. Unfortunately, people in Transdniestria were not able to exercise their right to vote. The high voter turnout of 69 per cent indicates confidence in the democratic process", said Dr. Kimmo Kiljunen, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office's Special Co-ordinator for the OSCE Election Observation Mission. "The voting and counting processes were carried out professionally, in accordance with the laws and regulations", added Mr. Bjorn von der Esch, Head of the Parliamentary Assembly delegation of the Council of Europe.
The Central Election Commission administered the elections in a non-partisan, transparent, efficient and timely manner. The Electoral Code provided an adequate framework for the conduct of democratic elections and ensured that political parties and electoral blocs could enter the political arena on an equal basis. State-owned media strictly followed the provisions of the Electoral Code.
The election process can, however, be further improved by addressing some shortcomings such as the inaccuracy and incompleteness of voter lists and the excessively restrictive media provisions in the Electoral Code.
Unfortunately, Parliamentary elections did not take place in Transdniestria, due to lack of co-operation of the de facto authorities. Eight special polling stations were set up on the right bank of the Nistru river for Transdniestrian residents to vote. Voting at these stations was conducted in a proper manner. However, only a very small percentage of the Moldovan citizens living in Transdniestria managed to exercise their right to vote.
The OSCE/ODIHR, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe stand ready to continue their dialogue with the authorities and civil society of Moldova to address these remaining concerns.
Mission information
The International Election Observation Mission for the Parliamentary elections in Moldova is a joint effort of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Dr. Kimmo Kiljunen, Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for the election in Moldova, leads the OSCE Election Observation Mission. Mr. Bjorn von der Esch leads the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Ambassador Charles Magee heads the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission.
The preliminary statement is available on the ODIHR Website at www.osce.org/odihr.
For further information, please contact:
"These elections in Moldova consolidated a democratic trend that should continue. Unfortunately, people in Transdniestria were not able to exercise their right to vote. The high voter turnout of 69 per cent indicates confidence in the democratic process", said Dr. Kimmo Kiljunen, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office's Special Co-ordinator for the OSCE Election Observation Mission. "The voting and counting processes were carried out professionally, in accordance with the laws and regulations", added Mr. Bjorn von der Esch, Head of the Parliamentary Assembly delegation of the Council of Europe.
The Central Election Commission administered the elections in a non-partisan, transparent, efficient and timely manner. The Electoral Code provided an adequate framework for the conduct of democratic elections and ensured that political parties and electoral blocs could enter the political arena on an equal basis. State-owned media strictly followed the provisions of the Electoral Code.
The election process can, however, be further improved by addressing some shortcomings such as the inaccuracy and incompleteness of voter lists and the excessively restrictive media provisions in the Electoral Code.
Unfortunately, Parliamentary elections did not take place in Transdniestria, due to lack of co-operation of the de facto authorities. Eight special polling stations were set up on the right bank of the Nistru river for Transdniestrian residents to vote. Voting at these stations was conducted in a proper manner. However, only a very small percentage of the Moldovan citizens living in Transdniestria managed to exercise their right to vote.
The OSCE/ODIHR, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe stand ready to continue their dialogue with the authorities and civil society of Moldova to address these remaining concerns.
Mission information
The International Election Observation Mission for the Parliamentary elections in Moldova is a joint effort of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Dr. Kimmo Kiljunen, Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for the election in Moldova, leads the OSCE Election Observation Mission. Mr. Bjorn von der Esch leads the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Ambassador Charles Magee heads the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission.
The preliminary statement is available on the ODIHR Website at www.osce.org/odihr.
For further information, please contact:
- Ambassador Charles Magee, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission in Chisinau (+373 2 23 40 76);
- Ian Gorvin, Head of OSCE/ODIHR Monitoring and Public Affairs Section in Warsaw (+48 603 793 789);
- Paul LeGendre, Programme Officer of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen (+ 45 33 37 80 40);
- Andreas Gross, Rapporteur, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, (+41 794 01 71 01);
- Angus Macdonald, Communication Unit of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg (+33 388 34 39).