Moldovan parliamentary elections met most international standards

CHISINAU, 29 November 2010 - Yesterday's early parliamentary elections in Moldova met most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments, the international observers concluded in a statement issued today (attached).

The observers noted that the elections were administered in a transparent and impartial manner and a diverse field of candidates provided voters with a genuine choice. Election day was assessed positively although some procedural errors were observed. Civil and political rights were respected during the election campaign. A lively and diverse media covered the campaign actively and provided voters with varied information. A number of amendments to the electoral code improved the electoral framework overall. However, the introduction of a new mandate allocation system - shortly before the elections and without public consultations - was problematic. The quality of voter lists remained a weak point and led to diminished public confidence. Further efforts are needed to remedy remaining deficiencies and strengthen public confidence.

"These elections reflected the will of the people, and were a positive step in Moldova's democratic development. We commend the competitive and pluralistic environment of this country, and hope that the political forces will act responsibly in building bridges and bringing Moldova out of this political crisis," said Tonino Picula who led the short-term OSCE observer mission and headed the delegation of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

"We congratulate the citizens of Moldova on their democratic conduct both during the election campaign and on the election day itself with a remarkably high turnout. The Delegation insists once again that it now belongs to the main political stakeholders, whatever their political position, to assure, at last, the functional operation of public institutions and to put the interests of the country as a whole over and above their personal or political disagreements," said Indrek Saar, Head of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

"The European Parliament delegation observed real democratic elections, and witnessed the clear improvement of the election process since the last elections. The election results reflect the will of the people. When elections are held every year, it is politics in crisis and not politics as usual. For us these elections mean that Moldova is perceived as the flagship of the Eastern Partnership of the EU," said Monica Macovei, Head of the delegation of the European Parliament.

"I am pleased that we can issue an overall positive assessment. These elections have strengthened democracy in Moldova. But a number of deficiencies remain to be tackled. Every effort should be made to build broad-based support among political parties for the outstanding reforms of the electoral framework," said Peter Eicher, Head of the election observation mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

For further information contact:

Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, OSCE/ODIHR, +373 69 063 299 or +48 603 683 122, jens.eschenbaecher@odihr.pl

Petra Jezkova, OSCE PA, +373 68 222 104 or +45 6010 8173, petra@oscepa.dk

Chemavon Chahbazian, PACE, +373 69093934 or +33 650 39 29 40, chemavon.chahbazian@coe.int

Emilia Gallego, EP, +373 68 222 091, emilia.gallego@europarl.europa.eu