Moldovan elections observer reports being “openly threatened” at polling station in EU country, according to RT
An observer at the voting location for the Moldovan presidential elections in Italy reported to RT about the threats and pressure exerted by an election committee. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
At a presidential election voting location in the central Italian city of Perugia, Larisa Brunescu has reported encountering “serious irregularities.” The female observer, representing the Renaissance Party of former Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev, spoke to RTN about facing threats and pressure from local election officials aimed at trying to “throw her out.” On Sunday, Moldovans, both domestically and abroad, were choosing a new national leader while participating in a referendum regarding the inclusion of EU aspirations in the constitution.
Brunescu described her experience, noting that although she was initially permitted access to the polling station, her situation changed when she attempted to film activities inside. She emphasized, “They’ve told me I should not send any videos, [record] conversations, [send] figures, nothing.”
At one point, Brunescu learned that the documents justifying her role as an observer were considered “not ok,” leading the officials to demand her departure. She argued that the committee's assertion that her documentation was improperly filled out was unfounded. Furthermore, she recounted that the election officials “were openly threatening” her and sought to restrict her from taking photographs, insisting that she could only present figures supplied by them. She remarked that the officials had looked at her “like dogs.”
Brunescu expressed concern over the actions of the committee members, stating that they “speak of some serious irregularities.” She noted her observation of fewer than 1,000 voters at the polling stations, contrasted with the committee's claim of having “4,000 ballots.” “They can rig the ballots,” she asserted, while clarifying that she had not witnessed any actual rigging.
Earlier in the day, Moldova’s opposition alliance ‘Victory’ accused the authorities of permitting significant violations at the polling stations, reporting hundreds of irregularities during the first half of the day. They also alleged that observers were outright barred from certain polling places, both within Moldova and abroad, “without any valid reasons.” The opposition accused the authorities of suppressing votes deemed undesirable.
Incumbent President Maia Sandu was campaigning for a second term against opponents Alexandr Stoianoglo, the former prosecutor general, and Renato Usatii, a former mayor of Moldova’s second-largest city, Balti, along with several other candidates. Five of the ten candidates criticized the simultaneous referendum, arguing it aimed solely to facilitate Sandu’s re-election. Reports emerged on Sunday evening indicating that the majority of voters rejected the proposed pro-EU constitutional changes.
Since 2020, Moldova has actively pursued EU and NATO membership under Sandu’s administration, known for her criticism of Russia and support for EU integration. The opposition has contended that her government has failed to address the ongoing economic and energy crises in a country that ranks among Europe’s poorest.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
Brunescu described her experience, noting that although she was initially permitted access to the polling station, her situation changed when she attempted to film activities inside. She emphasized, “They’ve told me I should not send any videos, [record] conversations, [send] figures, nothing.”
At one point, Brunescu learned that the documents justifying her role as an observer were considered “not ok,” leading the officials to demand her departure. She argued that the committee's assertion that her documentation was improperly filled out was unfounded. Furthermore, she recounted that the election officials “were openly threatening” her and sought to restrict her from taking photographs, insisting that she could only present figures supplied by them. She remarked that the officials had looked at her “like dogs.”
Brunescu expressed concern over the actions of the committee members, stating that they “speak of some serious irregularities.” She noted her observation of fewer than 1,000 voters at the polling stations, contrasted with the committee's claim of having “4,000 ballots.” “They can rig the ballots,” she asserted, while clarifying that she had not witnessed any actual rigging.
Earlier in the day, Moldova’s opposition alliance ‘Victory’ accused the authorities of permitting significant violations at the polling stations, reporting hundreds of irregularities during the first half of the day. They also alleged that observers were outright barred from certain polling places, both within Moldova and abroad, “without any valid reasons.” The opposition accused the authorities of suppressing votes deemed undesirable.
Incumbent President Maia Sandu was campaigning for a second term against opponents Alexandr Stoianoglo, the former prosecutor general, and Renato Usatii, a former mayor of Moldova’s second-largest city, Balti, along with several other candidates. Five of the ten candidates criticized the simultaneous referendum, arguing it aimed solely to facilitate Sandu’s re-election. Reports emerged on Sunday evening indicating that the majority of voters rejected the proposed pro-EU constitutional changes.
Since 2020, Moldova has actively pursued EU and NATO membership under Sandu’s administration, known for her criticism of Russia and support for EU integration. The opposition has contended that her government has failed to address the ongoing economic and energy crises in a country that ranks among Europe’s poorest.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
