alegeri.md

The League for Defence of Human Rights (LADOM) has issued the first monitoring report on the electoral process for elections of the Governor of Gagauzia (it covers October 4–28, 2006 period). The report mentions the following positive developments: approval of the Regulation regarding the coverage by mass media institutions of the election campaign for the Governor post of Gagauzia; opened and constructive dialogue established between Central Electoral Commission of Gagauzia and civil society. Negative aspects concerning regional election campaign envisage: unclear legal statute of regional laws and some incompatibilities between these and Electoral Code of the Republic of Moldova; unjustifiable involvement of central public authorities within the electoral process; misusing of the administrative leverages by the incumbent Governor so that to gain electoral advantages; low transparency of electoral bodies; lack of transparency as regard to campaign financing; unequal opportunities for all electoral contestants. LADOM recommendations refer to the activity of Gagauz CEC and regional authorities; respect for the electoral law and objective and extensive information of public opinion by mass media.

Association for Independent Press has issued the first report on mass media monitoring in election campaign for the Governor post of Gagauzia (it covers October 9–25, 2006 period). According to the general conclusions, there is a tendency in mass media to favour the incumbent Bashkan, Gheorghe Tabunscic, but without an obvious unfavourable coverage of the rest of contestants. During the aforesaid period, the monitored Radio and TV stations did not release any special electoral programs.

“Civic Initiative of Gagauzia” Coalition states that by Decision no.8, 13.10.2006, Central Electoral Commission of Gagauzia has decided to create electoral districts and their councils within the borders of the present rayons in the autonomy (administrative-territorial units of 2nd level), in comparison with elections in 1995, 1999, 2002 and 2003 when electoral districts were created within the borders of the administrative-territorial units of 1st level in the autonomy. The member organisations of Coalition consider that such a move would make more difficult for the elections’ results to be processed and would require additional funds.