Chisinau, October 11 (Infotag). The Association for Active Democracy (ADEPT), the League for Human Right Protection in Moldova (LADOM) and the Association of Independent Press (API) will monitor the elections of the Gagauz Bashkan (governor), due to take place on December 3, with financial support of the Eurasia-Moldova fund.

Fund Executive Director Sorin Marechiare said at a press conference on Wednesday in Infotag that the “Free and Honest Elections of the Gagauz Governor (Bashkan) project will be implemented in October 2006 – January 2007.

“The project with a $80 thousand budget is a constituent part of the “Citizens’ Participation in State Governance” program. The project objective is to inform voters, to train members of the Gagauz Electoral Commission, to monitor the election campaign and the mass media activities during the elections, - Marechiare said.

LADOM Chairman Paul Strutzescu said that at least two observers – one from Gagauzia and another one from other raions of Moldova will be present at each polling station on the elections day.

“Besides, we shall have constant observers during the entire campaign, including in the Gagauz Election Commission. We shall count votes during the night after the elections and we shall know the results earlier than the Central Election Commission”, Strutzescu promised.

ADEPT Chairman Igor Botan said that the web-site www.alegeri.md, containing the information about the elections in the region, was opened.

API executive director Petru Macovei remarked that 13 experts will monitor three TV channels, two radio channels and five newspapers of Moldova and Gagauzia.

“We started to monitor the elections on October 9. We monitor the correctness of the information on election contestants, pre-election news and pre-election programs. We also partially monitor the air time, given to the candidates”, Macovei said.

All three organizations will make weekly reports about their activities.