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Ambassadors of EU member states accredited to Moldova have visited ATU Gagauzia with the purpose to evaluate election campaign for the Governor post of Gagauzia. EU representatives had meetings with Gagauz CEC members and with all four electoral contestants. During the meetings has been underlined the importance of free and fair elections, transparent and equal conditions for all electoral contestants. Candidates have been asked to refrain from misusing administrative resources and to be transparent at each stage of the electoral process. The EU gives a high importance to election campaign, which must be organised accordingly to Moldova’s obligations assumed through the EU-Moldova Action Plan.

Debates on electoral issues have recently started on regional radio and TV stations. According to the preliminary information, candidates Gheorghe Tabunscic and Nicolai Dudoglo prefer direct meetings with voters and are not participating at the debates with Mihail Formuzal and Alexandr Stoianoglo.

Electoral staff of the candidate Mihail Formuzal has released a declaration contesting the way in which public debates have started. Supporters of M. Formuzal state that:

• Time for debates (each Monday, at 1pm (on radio) and 4pm (on TV)) is inappropriate. The provision which says that debates are to be held during the hours of high audience is infringed;
• At the first round of debates the most provocative questions would have been formulated by one of G.Tabunscic’s representatives;
• In the most part of the autonomy’s territory debates on TV have been broadcasted with frequent technical defections;
• OSCE Mission is invited to give assistance for monitoring the way in which debates on electoral issues are organised.