Moldovan mayors favour constitutional referendum despite contrary rumours
The holding of the 5 September referendum was the topic of a meeting between representatives of local authorities from most Moldovan settlements and Prime Minister Vlad Filat. Over 750 mayors and district heads accepted the prime minister s invitation to participate in the event held at the National Palace. Attending the meeting were representatives of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General's Office, as well as two ambassadors.
"It is true that the action of boycotting the referendum complies with the legal norm, but some local authorities resort to sabotage actions by glaringly violating the legislation," Vlad Filat said. The Party of Communists (PCRM) boycotts the referendum, and the local councils from Basarabeasca, Balti, Gagauzia and Ocnita decided to discourage citizens' participation in the referendum. "Any infringement will be sanctioned," the prime minister said.
Referring to a campaign held by the pro-Communist NIT TV channel, according to which the number of settlements boycotting the referendum is increasing, the head of the Cantemir district, Andrei Malasevschi, said that no mayoralty of this administrative unit adopted any decision to this effect. "Data are being manipulated to create an unfavorable atmosphere," Vlad Filat said.
The participants in the meeting also discussed the compilation of electoral lists by the mayoralties. Under the procedure, the mayors should submit updated lists to the CEC. Some say that this is a difficult process, as data about the death, loss of citizenship or change of residence are managed by different state agencies. The CEC representatives asked the mayoralties to display more responsibility while compiling the lists. Some mayors accused the CEC of rejecting their updated lists, as they did not coincide with the lists issued by the Registru enterprise.
"The 5 September referendum is to give people the right to express their position on how the Moldovan president should be elected. This date is important, as everybody needs that the electoral process is completed at last," the prime minister said.
The meeting of local authorities was held under the aegis of the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova.
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