The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections — Coalition 2007, published today two new reporting on the results of the monitoring of media coverage of elections and the electoral process:
- The report on the results of the monitoring of the electoral process, compiled by the League for the Defence of Human Rights in Moldova states that despite multiple breaches and complaints, the 3 June 2007 ballot was held in line with electoral laws. Central Electoral Commission (CEC) showed transparency and a positive opening towards national and international bodies whereas some level II electoral councils administered the elections in a biased method and with breaches. Observers noted the conflicts of interests within electoral bodies of different levels as well as the duplication of competences of electoral bodies and courts.
- The Association of Independent Press and the Independent Journalism Centre published a report on the results of the monitoring of the coverage of electoral campaign for the second round of the local elections by the media. According to the general conclusions, both positive and negative changes have been registered:
- although public outlets Moldova 1 TV and Radio Moldova continued to favour the ruling party and presented as news the press communiques of the Government and Presidency, the points of view of some opposition parties were also broadcast;
- radio station Antena C favoured the ruling party and avoided coverage of the opposition;
- TV Station NIT continued to ignore the opposition;
- TV Station N4 registered some positive developments, they broadcast information on parties and critical news on the capital city;
- TV 7 Station reduced the volume of news which put the government in a bad light, but have granted access to all electoral contestants. So did Euro TV, PRO TV and Vocea Basarabiei stations.
Former state owned press outlets and local public ones have continued to cover election related actions by central and local public administration, and sometimes have even attacked opposition candidates (Moldova Suverana newspaper featured compromising and offending materials about electoral contestant Dorin Chirtoaca). After 3 June 2007, the majority of national private newspapers have favoured directly or indirectly the candidate on behalf of the Liberal Party in the run-off for the Chisinau mayor office.
A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Powers in Europe (CLRPE) will visit Moldova on 16–18 June to monitor the second round of local elections. The delegation is composed of 12 observers, who will travel throughout the country on election day. On 18 June, the members of the delegation will present preliminary findings in a press conference. (Moldpres)
Chisinau Centru Ditrict Court validated the results of the 3 June elections to the Chisinau municipal council, and rejected the complaints filed by some parties (PCDP and SLP). In line with the results summed up by the Municipal District Council and confirmed by the court of justice, the mandates of the 51 elected councillor have been validates, as well as the lists of deputy candidates.
The “European Action” Movement, which could not participate in the elections because its official registration was postponed by the Ministry of Justice, called upon their supporters to vote in the second round of mayor elections for non-communist candidates. In a statement published today, the movement said that despite their abusive exclusion from the elections, its supporters and members “got involved in removing from power, at local level, the Party of Communists, and many members of the Movement have participated in the ballot as independent candidates and won officers of mayors and local councillors in local administration bodies.” (DECA-press)
