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Employees of customs structures of the Tiraspol administration sequestered on March 19 the ballot boxes designed for the polling station in Corjova village, Dubasari rayon, according to a press release by Promo-Lex Association. The association said that a car carrying the ballot boxes for the polling station No.5 in Corjova (Constituency No. 15 Dubasari) was stopped at the “customs” station near Pohrebea village, Dubasari rayon on March 19 at 11:00. Corjova mayor who was at the scene and car driver Oleg Cernatu were held for about four hours. Promo-Lex noted that Transnistrian customs bodies sequestered the ballot boxes and filled up a report on the name of the driver for committing an alleged “customs violation.” The organisation condemned the “abusive and illegal actions” by customs bodies of the illegal Tiraspol administration and declares that they restrict the freedom of move, the right to property and the electoral right. Militia representatives compromised the local elections on June 3 and 17, 2007 in Corjova by occupying the polling station from locality. (Source: Moldpres)

The Moldovan Ministry of Reintegration informed members and experts of the Joint Control Commission (CUC) on Thursday that the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has decided to open ten polling stations for Moldovan citizens from the Transnistrian region, thus guaranteeing their right to participate in the Moldovan parliamentary elections on April 5. At the same time, CUC was reported the CEC decision to open an electoral sector in Corjova village. Given incidents occurred at the Corjova polling station between Moldovan and Transnistrian law enforcement bodies during 2007 local elections, the Ministry of Reintegration asked military observers to monitor the situation in the security zone in this period and safeguard the free move of Moldovan citizens with the purpose to participate in elections. The Transnistrian delegation described the appeal by the Ministry of Integration as a provocation from Moldova, opposing the opening of an electoral sector in Corjova village and noting that it does not guarantee security of Corjova residents who intend to participate in elections. Following contradictory talks and failure to agree, this issue was transferred for next CUC sitting. (Source: communication by Ministry of Reintegration)

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) approved Friday the ballot paper form and contents for the April 5 parliamentary elections. Like in last years, they will contain the candidate’s symbol and name and a case for the stamp “voted”. Ballot papers printed in white pattern will include 21 quadrangles — one for each party, on which the symbol, the name of the party written in capital letters, accordingly to the organisational legal form registered with the Ministry of Justice, will be printed, completed by the case for the “voted” stamp. As for independents, the name of the candidate will be written with the mentioning “independent candidate” in capital letters. The order in which candidates will appear on the ballot paper will be determined by the drawing of lots procedure, operated during registration of runners. Thus, 21 candidates will appear on ballot paper, including 15 political parties and 6 independents. CEC Secretary Iurie Ciocan said that the ballot papers will be printed starting March 23. In the first tranche, 1,074 ballots papers will be printed for 20 constituencies of second level. As many as 861,573 ballot papers will be printed in Romanian and 212,431 in Russian. Earlier, CEC has reported that 2,549,804 electors were included in voters’ rolls for the April 5 elections. (Source: Omega portal)

People who do not have a permanent or temporary residence registration will be able to vote at polling stations corresponding to their last registration. They will be included into supplementary lists, in line with completions to the instruction on particularities of participation in voting at the April 5, 2009 parliamentary elections approved by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC). According to CEC Secretary Iurie Ciocan, there are approximately 68,000 Moldovans who are expected to apply for identity cards or residence registration. As well, there are many nationals who came back from other countries and did not register their residence yet. This category also includes young couples or youths who live with their parents. (Source: Omega portal)

The European People’s Party (EPP) has decided to support the Christian Democratic People’s Party (PPCD) in Moldovan elections. The EPP adopted a resolution in this respect. It says that the EPP “closely follows political developments from the Republic of Moldova on the eve of the parliamentary elections which will take place on 5th April 2009.” “As a democracy in transition and as a country which has proposed the strategic objective the European integration, Moldova is to deepen its political and economic reforms, to adjust its laws and practices to the European standards. The separation of the totalitarian soviet past and the advancement to democracy must be strengthened by strong institutions of the rule of law and total respect for human rights,” reads the resolution. The EPP considers that the PPCD is “the oldest democratic institution in this country.” “Being at the forefront of the struggle for democracy and independence for over twenty years, this party affirmed itself as a vigorous political movement, formed of real fighters for freedom. The PPCD is the only political party in Moldova which was present in all five legislatures of the national Parliament from 1990 until now. Now is the historic moment for a considerable electoral victory and its accession to governing.” The EPP expresses its conviction that the electoral process in Moldova “will be fair and democratic one, according to international standards in the field, and the authorities will ensure all conditions for an honest and transparent political competition.” (Source: Infotag)

Young members of the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM) have symbolically opened the new Olympic stadium of the country, which will be built instead of the former republican stadium. They gathered at gates of the ruined stadium on March 20 and staged within a flash-mob the opening of the new sport arena. Swinging on Soviet sport anthems, they invited the chief of state and premier who symbolically tasted from bread and salt, cut the red ribbon and addressed the public. During the flash-mob, other participants waved multicoloured air balls and shouted “Hurrah, comrades!” By holding that action, they hoped to capture the attention of authorities on the need to build the arena. The next target is the inauguration of the leisure area “Valea Morilor”. (Source: Deca-Press)

The “Actiunea Europeana” (European Action) Movement (MAE) publicly protests against the totalitarian manner in which the newspaper Timpul has censured the makes-up it should publish on March 20, 2009, paid from electoral campaign fund, the party said in a press release. According to MAE, the refusal is linked to critical opinions about other parties contained in those articles. The make-up included an open letter addressed by MAE to signatories to the National Anti-Corruption Pact, which called for cleaning up lists of candidates to the Parliament of Moldova and guaranteeing that “we will not face new Rosca-style betrayals.” MAE regrets that “a publication which pretends to be independent is acting like the communist governing, deciding abusively not to publish MAE materials.” “Argumentation by the newspaper administration is typical to totalitarianism and dictatorship of opinion. The political gesture by Timpul administration reveals that PCRM and PLDM are nothing but faces of the same coin, a coin of censorship and intolerance towards diversity of opinions.” The press rlease recalls that the son of Timpul director Constantin Tanase is an electoral candidate on behalf of PLDM. “This is probably a pretty strong reason to subjugate the freedom of expression and editorial policy,” MAE stated. “Despite different colours, PCRM and PLDM token that they have the same inurements,” MAE added. (Source: MAE press release)

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) proposes the concession of the Transnistrian region to Russia for a 30-year term in exchange for a 100-billion-rouble financial assistance for Moldova. This is a stipulation of a plan on settlement of the Transnistrian conflict presented by PSD on March 20. According to PSD leader Dumitru Braghis, this agreement would be established between Chisinau and Moscow. According to the concession agreement, Transnistria would be temporarily maintained under Russia’s jurisdiction. “In the concession period, Russia would set leading bodies of this region, guarantee justice and use existing resources, except for those indicated in a restriction agreement,” reads the PSD plan. Instead, the Russian Federation would provide a 100-billion-rouble financial assistance and cancel all debts of Moldova and consumers from Transnistria, including Moldova Gaz debts for natural gas consumption, and would contribute to the annulment of crediting debts of Moldova to the Paris and London Clubs. As well, Russia would invest at least 100 billion roubles in Transnistria in the first ten years of the concession term. PSD says that “after the comeback of the region under Moldova’s jurisdiction, the status of Transnistria as part of Moldova would be determined by Moldovan Parliament under a special law.”

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) fears that the political system of Moldova does not cover interests of civil society, is incapable to settle social-economic problems of the country and ensure independence and integrity of the state to go through threats of modern world. There are also other political doctrines in society, there is science, artists, entrepreneurs, faithful — they represent a variety of interests and opinions which authorities are to take into consideration. However, citizens of the republic estrange themselves from politics, do not trust politicians, prove apathy and juridical nihilism, so that this situation worsens the investment climate and, therefore, there are no premises for a stable development of the country. In conditions of economic crisis, people and leading bodies shall be united in their aspiration to find solutions to stringent problems, to advantage the economic development, open new jobs. In order to accomplish this goal, PSD recommends the experience of other countries and the opening of the Public Chamber of the Republic of Moldova. Members to the Public Chamber of the Republic of Moldova are the intellectual and spiritual-moral elite of the country. They would support the new chief of state, the spirit, dignity and awareness of the Moldovan Nation. According to PSD, the President of Moldova should self-guide on public opinion, which would be represented by the Public Chamber of the Republic of Moldova. This is the role of the President of Moldova as guarantor of constitutional rights of population. PSD considers that the Public Chamber of the Republic of Moldova would facilitate national unity and concord, encourage people to trust again the Government, give birth to new economic and social initiatives. (Source: PSD press release)

The Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM) registered on Thursday evening the 30,000th member. The name of the 30,000th member is Silvia Stici, 27 years old. During a ceremony organised on that occasion, PCRM leader and Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin said that the PCRM has never aimed to force somebody to join the party. The communist leader was confident that the number of 30,000 members “reveals the increasing confidence of people towards equity of the PCRM principle and force to build a state of social equality.” (Source: Deca-Press)

The Supreme Court of Justice has outlawed the decisions by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) and Chisinau Electoral Constituency Council concerning the supplement Obiectiv published by the Independent Press Association (API), a member to the Coalition-2009. The court decided that the API and Coalition-2009 did not violate the electoral legislation. Previously, the Chisinau Court of Appeal has turned down as groundless an application by the API and Coalition-2009 against the CEC decision to forewarn the API in connection with an article published by Obiectiv supplement. In consequence, the API has appealed to the higher court, the Supreme Court of Justice. The CEC forewarned the API on March 3 for having published what it described as an electoral article in Obiectiv and would disadvantaged the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova. (Source: Unimedia)

The corruption has become a generalised phenomenon in 10 years of communist governing, affecting majority areas of society, institutions, justice, law enforcement and security bodies, local public and central administration bodies. The chairman of the Liberal Party (LP), Mihai Ghimpu, has made this assessment in an interview with Info-Prim Neo. He fears that corruption in justice, police, and state central administration is the heaviest burden for society. Ghimpu said that making justice in our country is based on political order and protection of governors’ interests. “There are two more aspects which shall give fuel to thoughts: there is no free and independent specialised media to seriously investigate corruption at high level, at which great fortunes raised by some authorities in a fraudulent manner is the stake; no cases opened by law enforcement bodies on corruption-related charges are completed,” the PL leader added. (Source: Info-Prim)

The Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM) signals intensified assaults and provocations by the Party of Communists and its allies against PLDM. Using the loyal media, the communists are trying to discredit the PLDM by disseminating untrue rumours. Hereby, PCRM-controlled media outlets released allegations that the PLDM has plans to destabilise the social-political situation. We declare in connection with these misreports: the PLDM is not involved in the protests organised by the initiative group “Stop the Terror!” The PLDM did not call for picketing the Interior Ministry on March 17 and it has nothing in common with the march which the initiative group “Stop the Terror!” intends to hold on March 21. The PLDM condemns the rough manipulations of the public committed by the communist governing to accuse us of involvement in actions improper to our party. Attempts by the communist media to mislead the public aim to discredit the PLDM as the No.1 opposition force. As well, the PLDM expressed its position related to the young man shot on March 15 and demanded the urgent and fair investigation of this case, the punishment of the guilty and the operative and unbiased information of society about taken actions. So far, communist authorities did not take any actions to elucidate this case and, therefore, they are to blame for this situation. The PLDM reconfirmed its attachment for legal and civilised political actions and called upon all members and supporters not to fall under insinuations of the communist machinery. (Source: PLDM press release)

The Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM) is aware that some provocations could be prepared for the protest action it is set to hold on Sunday, March 22. According to a PLDM statement, “considering the conduct of state structures, communists-controlled media and especially of the police during this electoral campaign, we are right to expect provocations, intimidations and obstacles aimed to compromise the PLDM efforts and obstruct the action.” The PLDM asked bodies in charge with safeguarding the public order “to do their work accordingly to legal and contractual regulations for a normal conduct of the action… We are asking interior bodies not to intimidate people and not to obstruct them to come to the manifestation. We are calling upon media outlets controlled by the governing to refrain from insinuations and libelling reports,” reads the statement. The PLDM invited international and local observers to monitor developments and assess objectively the conduct of state institutions during the protest action called “Do Not Be Afraid of Voting!” The party notes that the action aims “to encourage people to get rid of fear and dependence on incumbent governing and vote accordingly to their political visions… Combating any pressures or intimidations against voters is the only way to ensure free and fair elections,” reads the PLDM statement. (Source: Infotag)

“Retirees shall not be accepted in the Parliament anymore. You earn a pension, take your golden fishing line and go fishing on Proute or Dniester,” the member to the Moldovan Congress of Civil Society, Fiodor Ghelici, told a press conference on March 19. Ghelici symbolically warned Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii via the media: “the long-term erecting ends with total impotence and no Viagra will be able to help the economy — everything will be over sooner or later.” Ghelici invited Minister of Economy and Trade Igor Dodon to manage his enterprise, promising him a twofold higher wage than he earns at present. (Source: Infotag)

The “Moldova Noastra” Alliance (AMN) accuses the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM) of using humanitarian aid for electoral purposes. AMN leader Serafim Urechean has brought these accusations at a pres conference. According to an AMN press release, the humanitarian aid is “stolen from lots designed for victims in 2007–2008.” It noted that humanitarian aid was disseminated in Briceni to participants in a meeting with Marian Lupu. “Eugenia Ostapciuc brought to Soroca 5 sewing machines illegally taken from the Agency for State Reserves and Humanitarian Assistance. Victor Stepaniuc donated sewing machines from the same humanitarian aid lot to Floresti rayon, and donated two kitchen ranges, gas stoves to a gymnasium from Hansca village, Ialoveni rayon,” reads the communication. AMN notifies foreign donors to check the destination of their humanitarian assistance. (Source: AMN statement)

The Civic Initiative For a Clean Parliament recommends political parties with which it has signed cooperation contracts to remove from their lists the candidates who do not meet the “moral integrity criteria” of civil society (involvement in corruption, incomplete income declarations, guilt for the sentencing of Moldova by the European Court of Human Rights etc.). The recommendation concerns the Democratic Party of Moldova, Social Democratic Party, Liberal Democratic Party, Liberal Party, “Moldova Noastra” (Our Moldova) Alliance and Centrist Union of Moldova. The initiative does not indicate the number of candidates concerned, but notes that leaders of these parties are free to contest the report by the Civic Initiative and bring arguments in favour of their candidates. The initiative members will not release the report, shall political parties remove candidates concerned from their lists. Developers say that political parties which did not sign cooperation agreements with the Civic Initiative will not be able to contest the findings of the monitoring of lists of candidates to the Parliament of Moldova before their release. The initiative will release the list of these candidates in late March. The Civic Initiative for a Clean Parliament is made of the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT, Independent Press Association, Centre for Analysing and Preventing Corruption, Independent Journalism Centre, Centre of Journalistic Investigations, “Acces-Info” Freedom of Expression and Access to Information Promotion Centre and Soros-Moldova Foundation. (Source: Infotag)