MFA CONFIRMS CHISINAU’S PRINCIPAL STANCE ON OPENING POLLING STATIONS IN TRANSNISTRIA

The central Moldovan authorities are recommending to not open polling stations in the Transnistrian region for holding the July 1 referendum on amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation because Chisinau has no possibility to provide for necessary constitutional conditions for ensuring security at holding such undertakings.

According to the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, such a principal position of the Moldovan authorities the Ministry confirmed in reply to the Russian Embassy’s notification of its intention to open two polling stations, in Chisinau and Tiraspol, for the July 1 referendum.

The Ministry underlined that the Republic of Moldova legislation does not contain restrictions for holding elections by foreign countries and, accordingly, for opening polling areas by foreign diplomatic missions.

Meanwhile, two polling stations have been organized in Tiraspol – one in the military base territory of the Operational Group of Russian Forces (OGRV) deployed in Transnistria, where the Russian military and their family members can vote, and the other one in downtown Tiraspol.

Voting in Transnistria began yet on Monday and will last 3 days. All voters must wear protective masks. Transnistria is home to over 200 thousand locals having the Russian citizenship.