On Monday, 2 November, during the run-up to the second round of the Moldovan presidential election, the European External Action Service spokesperson called for practices that would not be in compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards with regard to democratic elections to be avoided.
“Respecting the right of all voters to express their will in credible, inclusive and transparent elections is a fundamental democratic principle which is also at the heart of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Agreement,” said the spokesperson in a statement.
According to him, the EU is going to continue to closely monitor developments before and during the second round of voting. The spokesman added that the European Union expects the Moldovan authorities to continue to facilitate the unhindered work of international and domestic election observers.
During the first round of the election on 1 November, the EU, citing the OSCE, found that legal loopholes undermined the effectiveness of the campaign financial oversight and the election-dispute resolution, votes were reportedly bought, and voters, illegally transported.
Although turnout was only 43%, the spokesperson stressed Moldovan voters’ commitment to democracy despite the difficult context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The second round, scheduled for 15 November, will pit former pro-European prime minister Maia Sandu, who won 36% of the vote, against outgoing pro-Russian president Igor Dodon (32%).
See the OSCE’s preliminary report: https://bit.ly/34Ufizb (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)