In the context of elections of February 24 of this year, People’s Advocate, Mihail Cotorobai, mentions the importance of conducting a correct and transparent parliamentary ballot by ensuring the right of universal, equal, direct, secret and freely expressed vote. Observance of these five principles of the European electoral heritage is essential to democracy, states the Ombudsman.

       Mihail Cotorobai notes that organization of some democratic elections is impossible without respecting human rights, especially freedom of press expression, freedom of assembly and association for political purposes.

The Ombudsman emphasizes the fact that organization and conduct of parliamentary ballot in the conditions of mixed electoral system will constitute an exam for all the actors involved in the election process: authorities, electoral competitors, citizens with the right to vote, national and international observers. Mihail Cotorobai expresses his hope that this exam will be successfully passed.

The Ombudsman also reminds the fact that according to the Code of good practices in electoral matters elaborated by the Venice Commission, „only transparency, impartiality and independence from politically motivated manipulation will ensure proper administration of the election process, from the pre-election period to the end of the processing of results”. The People’s Advocate also emphasizes that credibility of election process should be guaranteed, first of all by the observance of fundamental rights and law norms so that being excluded any manipulation suspicions.

        The voting procedure plays a vital role in the process of elections because during it electoral frauds can be produced. The freedom of vote permits to voter to form independently his/her opinion about the electoral competitor for whom he/she wants to vote.  Nobody has the right to make pressure on him/her for determining him/her whether to vote or not, as well as preventing to express his/her will independently, mentions Mihail Cotorobai.

People’s Advocate also emphasizes the importance to offer to each voter the right to only one vote which would have an equal legal power. To this effect, the Ombudsman advices the institutions with the attributions in organizing elections for undertaking the necessary actions and not admitting the fact that the voter votes several times and in several locations.  

           Mihail Cotorobai makes appeal to citizen to manifest civic responsibility and to participate to the democratic act of February 24 and the electoral competitors – to bring evidence of correctness, mutual respect and to abstain of actions which could affect the electoral exercise.    

The Ombudsman also addresses to electoral competitors with the call to action in the spirit of democratic principles, no matter what would be the results of the parliament ballot of February 24, not admitting the involvement of his/her sympathizers in violent actions and intimidations. Mihail Cotorobai at the same time makes appeal to the representatives of law enforcement for ensuring security and safety of persons in the day of elections and the immediate period in order to avoid the destabilization of public order and security.

            People’s Advocate informs that he has monitored the election campaign and he will further monitor the voting process in the day of elections and if necessary he will make the necessary demarches according to the attributions offered by the national law and international standards. 

Department for human rights promotion

 and communication of People’s Advocate Office

Tel.: 60002656