Promo-LEX Mission of Moldova confirms over 250 election-related incidents

Promo-LEX observers reported, by 14:30, a total of 344 incidents related to the parliamentary elections. A number of 254 of them were confirmed, while the remaining cases are under review. The head of the Promo-LEX Mission, Nicolae Panfil, has unveiled data to this effect.

Promo-LEX observers noted crowding both inside and outside the stations in 313 of the 1,300 monitored polling stations, between 9:30-12:30. Congestions were reported in six of the 12 stations open for voters from the Transnistrian region, and in 47 out of 117 stations abroad where Promo-LEX observers are present.

Nicolae Panfil said that observers had reported 85 cases of voting secrecy violations, including photographing/filming ballots, displaying ballots with the expressed vote, improperly positioned voting booths allowing visibility of the voter's choice and the lack of conditions for assisted voting.

At the same time, according to Promo-LEX data, there were cases at this election event of people filming voters at polling stations abroad, using recording devices. Such cases were reported at ten foreign polling stations. One took place at a polling station in Milan, Italy. An observer reported that; at 8:45 a person with a Russian Federation passport entered the polling station and asked for permission to film. The head of the electoral office refused and asked him to leave.

Also, Promo-LEX documented incidents involving rumors, attempts, or real situations where material or financial incentives were offered to voters to influence their vote. According to a Promo-LEX observer, in a village in the central Calarasi district, two elderly individuals said they had received 600 lei for voting.

The voting process was also marked by incidents involving the organized transportation of voters, as reported by Promo-LEX observers. In one case, an observer reported that about 50 people had come to the Embassy of Moldova in Minsk, Belarus, to vote, claiming they came from Kursk, Russia.

Additionally, observers reported 26 cases on deficiencies in the electoral lists. In one case, a voter discovered a stranger listed at his home address, and in another case, a female voter noticed her deceased husband, who passed away in April 2025, was still listed.

Among other incidents reported by Promo-LEX observers, there are unjustified group voting (30 cases), unauthorized people present within or near the polling station (22 cases), presence of advertising materials (5 cases), restricted access for observers (5 cases), and electioneering (3 cases).

On election day, Promo-LEX assigned by one short-term observer to 409 polling stations, selected based on a sample established by a sociological company. Additionally, by one static observer is assigned in all 12 polling stations where voters from the Transnistrian region will vote.

Special attention will be given to polling stations abroad, where 129 static observers have been delegated. Besides the static observers, Promo-LEX has dispatched 191 mobile teams to monitor the electoral process in polling stations not covered by the sample. The mobile teams will also observe access routes to polling stations meant for voters from the Transnistrian region.