OSCE/ODIHR MISSION TO FOLLOW ALL STAGES OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN MOLDOVA

On Wednesday, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) formally opened its election observation mission (EOM) for the November 1 presidential election in Moldova.

According to the Office’s press release, the mission has come to Moldova on the invitation from the national authorities, is led by Corien Jonker and consists of a core team of 11 experts based in Chisinau and 24 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from September 30. In addition, ODIHR will request that the participating States provide 200 short-term observers, who will arrive several days before election day.

The mission will assess the presidential election for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation.

“Observers will closely monitor all aspects of the election, including potential post-election developments. Specific areas of focus include the implementation of the amended legal framework, candidate registration, campaign activities, as well as election dispute resolution and election media coverage. They will also assess the implementation of previous ODIHR election recommendations”, said the mission’s press release.

In the course of its observation, the mission will meet with representatives from the state authorities and political parties and with candidates, as well as with representatives from civil society, the media and the international community.

On election day, the ODIHR mission will join efforts with the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to observe the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.

The mission will publish an interim report in the course of its work, and will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference the day after the election. ODIHR will issue a final report on the observation approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.