Ministry of Foreign Affairs insists on opening two polling stations in the Russian Federation, citing security reasons
For the October 20 referendum and presidential election, only two polling stations could be opened in the Russian Federation, and not five, as ordered by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC). Both should be opened in Moscow, because consular protection and the security of the voters can be ensured there, declared the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popșoi. The decision is based on the opinion of the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS), which assessed the situation in the Russian Federation, said the head of diplomacy from Chisinau.
"MFA reiterated its position based on the SIS opinion. We cannot put our citizens in danger. We must provide safe voting conditions both for the citizens who participate in the electoral process and for those who organize it. We must approach this situation with utmost caution, given the security conditions in the Russian Federation and in Israel, perhaps, and in Ukraine. That is why, we had a uniform approach for all three countries in complicated situations. Therefore, the position of the MFA remains unchanged in the context of the security situation, which remains equally unchanged and complicated in the Russian Federation."
The minister said that the MFA’s decision was taken based on the SIS opinion, which made a complex and comprehensive assessment of the situation in Russia. "By the complex security situation, we can ensure an effective and safe process for the citizens who will come to vote in the capital, where there is consular protection. We cannot admit to creating dangers for our citizens, we cannot organize elsewhere, or the resources are limited and the security conditions do not offer this opportunity, I repeat, under the conditions of the SIS opinion."
Contacted for a comment, the deputy-chairperson of the CEC, Pavel Postica, told "Teleradio-Moldova" that he could not comment on the Foreign Minister's statements, as "he has not seen any official response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs". "The CEC ordered the organization of five polling stations," Postica said.
We remind you that the CEC decided, on September 14, to open 234 polling stations abroad, of which five in the Russian Federation, 12 fewer than in the previous election. Later, the Foreign Ministry recommended opening only two polling stations in Moscow, citing security reasons.
On September 29, examining a challenge by the Socialist Party regarding the opening of polling stations in the Russian Federation, the Central Electoral Commission asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Electoral Council to establish electoral offices for three other polling stations - in Saint Petersburg, Surgut and Yaroslavl. We remind you that the CEC's decision to open only five polling stations in the Russian Federation was harshly criticized both by the Kremlin and by pro-Russian forces in Chisinau.
