​COMMUNIST ALINA RUSSU ELECTED CEC CHAIRPERSON

The new lineup of Moldova’s Central Election Commission elected their leadership on Monday. Six of the Commission’s 8 members, who took part in the voting, cast their ballots for electing Communist Alina Russu as CEC Chairperson.

The Commission’s 9th member, former Deputy Minister of Justice Sergiu Gurduza of the Liberal Democratic Party, refrained from the voting due to his disagreement with the voting procedure. One ballot-paper was recognized as void because it contained no mention of whatever candidate.

The other candidate for CEC head, a former Chisinau municipal councilor from the Party of Socialists Maxim Lebedinschi, received only one ballot in his favor.

MP Rodica Ciubotaru of the Liberal Party was elected CEC Deputy Chairperson, and Veaceslav Agrigoroaie of the Democratic Party – CEC Secretary.

The parliamentary Communist faction admitted that the election of their party comrade was a pleasant surprise for them. They offered an opinion that such an outcome was due to the European structures’ appeals to return to the practice of delegating the CEC presidency to opposition representatives.

Communist faction leader Inna Supac stated that if only the authorities and their majority in the CEC try to go against the law, to rig elections or commit other predatory actions, “Alina Russu, as a professional lawyer and just as an honest and decent personality, will not keep silence, and will be defending the truth and her opinion”.

However, Party of Socialists leader Igor Dodon criticized the election of a Communist to such an essential post, claiming that “the Communists are but an appendix to the authorities – the pocket opposition”. He is convinced that under the Communists’ leadership, “the CEC will remain the same fraudulent, manipulating and complaisant instrument in the hands of the incumbent oligarchic power”.

Alina Russu replied to that: “I would not rather comment on politicians’ statements. Let them accumulate their political capitals by making public statements. Each person has one’s own profession. I am a lawyer by profession. Our mission is to make everybody observe the law and let the people use their right to vote freely. This will be a responsible mandate, with many challenges. Our job will be resting on the pillars of openness and lawfulness”.

As already reported by Infotag, the mandates of previous CEC members and Chairman Iurie Ciocan expired last February 11. The Parliament extended their powers by 3 months. On June 17, the Parliament voted for a new CEC lineup. According to the law, eight of the Commission’s 9 members are delegated by parliamentary factions proportionally to their strength in the legislative forum, and the 9th member is appointed by the Moldovan President. Nicolae Timofti has appointed to the post Vladimir Sarban, Deputy Secretary General of the Presidential Apparatus.

The new CEC lineup has been appointed for 5 years.