Former President of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), Iurie Ciocan, highlights that the continued expansion of polling stations for the diaspora cannot be an unlimited process. According to him, there is a risk that in the future, the influence of voters living outside the country could surpass the influence of those residing in the Republic of Moldova, who directly bear the consequences of political decisions.
“Increasing the number of polling stations abroad cannot continue indefinitely. In the future, we may reach a stage where the number of voters outside the country approaches the number of voters inside the country. International practice shows that if it is 1/3 vs 2/3, the state already takes measures to limit the vote of citizens abroad because their influence is too great. It is assumed that in the case of a citizen living in Italy who votes for a politician from Moldova, this vote does not directly affect them. In other words, it does not have the direct consequence of the vote,” said Iurie Ciocan on the show Rezoomat on RliveTV.
Ciocan clarified that his position should not be interpreted as opposition to diaspora voting, but as a call to find a balance:
FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT NEWS, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!
“Do not perceive that I do not support voting abroad. No. I was a promoter and extensively implemented diaspora voting, but we are already approaching a certain limit and will have to make tougher decisions. None of the politicians discuss this. It must not be allowed that the influence of voters outside the country dominates the influence of those in the country, who are directly affected by government actions,” added Ciocan.
Authorities will open 301 polling stations for diaspora citizens for the September 28 parliamentary elections. They will also open 12 polling stations for citizens in the Transnistrian region within the territory controlled by constitutional authorities.