Moldova elections held peacefully amid foreign interference
The elections were held peacefully and without significant incidents, according to the findings of the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO), which observed the elections last Sunday.
Additionally, the electoral process was managed efficiently and transparently by the electoral authorities. However, challenges remained, including limited accessibility for voters with disabilities, the presence of deceased individuals on the electoral rolls, and undeclared expenses in party financing. Concurrently, representatives of the organisation noted that our country is actively targeted by a disinformation campaign designed to instil fear and division within society. This disinformation specifically targeted the constitutional referendum to distort the European trajectory of the Republic of Moldova.
The head of the ENEMO Mission, Dritan Taulla, emphasised that this election occurred amid external interference. "The elections on October 20 were held amid malicious and significant attempts at foreign interference and sustained attacks on democratic values and institutions. Despite the authorities' efforts to counter disinformation and vote-buying schemes, ENEMO expresses its deep concern about these attempts to divert the country from strengthening its democratic institutions and the rule of law. The election management bodies administered the process transparently and professionally. Minor procedural violations or irregularities on election day did not undermine the integrity of the process," stated Dritan Taulla.
ENEMO is an international network comprising 23 non-governmental organisations from 18 countries across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The mission will remain in the country to observe the second round of the presidential elections.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
