Moldovan election observer reports to RT being ‘openly threatened’ at a polling station in an EU country
An observer at a Moldovan presidential election polling station in Italy shared with RT insights regarding the threats and pressure experienced from an election committee. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Larisa Brunescu has asserted that the actions of officials at a voting center in Italy “speak of serious irregularities.”
Brunescu, an observer at a Moldovan presidential election polling station located in the central Italian city of Perugia, reported to RTN that she encountered threats from the local election committee.
On Sunday, Moldovans both domestically and internationally participated in voting for their new leader, alongside a referendum concerning the inclusion of the nation’s EU aspirations in its constitution.
In a phone conversation with RTN, Brunescu indicated that while election officials initially permitted her entry to the polling station, they later attempted to expel her after she commenced filming the proceedings.
“They told me I should not send any videos, [record] conversations, [send] figures, nothing,” Brunescu, who represents the Renaissance Party led by former Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev, stated.
Brunescu recounted that at one point, she was informed that the documents certifying her role as an observer were “not OK” and that she needed to leave. She emphasized that the committee claimed her documents were not “filled out properly,” an assertion she refuted. According to her, election officials “were openly threatening” her.
Additionally, Brunescu claimed that the committee made attempts to restrict her from taking photographs and insisted that she could report only the figures they provided. She described the officials as looking at her “like dogs.”
The observer noted that she counted fewer than 1,000 voters at the polling station, even though the committee had “4,000 ballots.” “They can rig the ballots,” she added, acknowledging that she did not witness any actual rigging by the committee.
Earlier on Sunday, the opposition Victory alliance in Moldova accused the authorities of permitting widespread violations at polling stations, alleging that hundreds of irregularities were recorded during the early hours of voting. The political group also claimed that observers were outright banned from accessing certain polling stations, both in Moldova and abroad, “without any valid reasons.” Additionally, they accused the authorities of suppressing votes deemed undesirable.
In this election, Moldovan President Maia Sandu aimed for a second term while competing against Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general, Renato Usatii, a former mayor of Moldova’s second-largest city, Balti, and seven other candidates. Five out of ten candidates voiced objections to the referendum, contending that it was conducted solely to facilitate Sandu’s reelection. On Sunday evening, reports indicated that the majority of voters rejected the pro-EU constitutional amendments.
Since 2020, Moldova has actively pursued EU and NATO membership, particularly under the leadership of Sandu, who is a vocal critic of Russia and a supporter of EU integration. However, the opposition has criticized her administration for inadequately addressing the country’s economic and energy crises, prevalent in one of Europe’s poorest nations.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
Brunescu, an observer at a Moldovan presidential election polling station located in the central Italian city of Perugia, reported to RTN that she encountered threats from the local election committee.
On Sunday, Moldovans both domestically and internationally participated in voting for their new leader, alongside a referendum concerning the inclusion of the nation’s EU aspirations in its constitution.
In a phone conversation with RTN, Brunescu indicated that while election officials initially permitted her entry to the polling station, they later attempted to expel her after she commenced filming the proceedings.
“They told me I should not send any videos, [record] conversations, [send] figures, nothing,” Brunescu, who represents the Renaissance Party led by former Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev, stated.
Brunescu recounted that at one point, she was informed that the documents certifying her role as an observer were “not OK” and that she needed to leave. She emphasized that the committee claimed her documents were not “filled out properly,” an assertion she refuted. According to her, election officials “were openly threatening” her.
Additionally, Brunescu claimed that the committee made attempts to restrict her from taking photographs and insisted that she could report only the figures they provided. She described the officials as looking at her “like dogs.”
The observer noted that she counted fewer than 1,000 voters at the polling station, even though the committee had “4,000 ballots.” “They can rig the ballots,” she added, acknowledging that she did not witness any actual rigging by the committee.
Earlier on Sunday, the opposition Victory alliance in Moldova accused the authorities of permitting widespread violations at polling stations, alleging that hundreds of irregularities were recorded during the early hours of voting. The political group also claimed that observers were outright banned from accessing certain polling stations, both in Moldova and abroad, “without any valid reasons.” Additionally, they accused the authorities of suppressing votes deemed undesirable.
In this election, Moldovan President Maia Sandu aimed for a second term while competing against Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general, Renato Usatii, a former mayor of Moldova’s second-largest city, Balti, and seven other candidates. Five out of ten candidates voiced objections to the referendum, contending that it was conducted solely to facilitate Sandu’s reelection. On Sunday evening, reports indicated that the majority of voters rejected the pro-EU constitutional amendments.
Since 2020, Moldova has actively pursued EU and NATO membership, particularly under the leadership of Sandu, who is a vocal critic of Russia and a supporter of EU integration. However, the opposition has criticized her administration for inadequately addressing the country’s economic and energy crises, prevalent in one of Europe’s poorest nations.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
