Moldova election corruption: Interior Minister reveals 2,000 searches and new criminal cases
Around 2,000 searches have been conducted and criminal proceedings launched since the start of the election campaign, with accusations of electoral corruption, according to the country's Interior Minister, Daniela Misail-Nichitin.
The minister said the most common violations included organising paid protests, refusing to comply with police, and breaching public assembly laws. She also noted these provocations were aimed at overwhelming law enforcement.
In an interview with Rlive.md, she said: "The most frequent provocations at this time are paid protests in various towns. We are seeing electoral agitation from candidates who have either been disqualified from the race or had their activities restricted or banned by a court ruling. We are also continuing to see calls or actions that aim to divide society along various lines, such as ethnic, linguistic, or religious."
Law enforcement agencies, she said, would continue to act in a coordinated and decisive manner to prevent electoral corruption, punish paid protests, and counter attempts to destabilise the democratic process. She added that police, prosecutors, the CNA, and the SIS were carrying out daily joint operations to document abuses.
"The police and the carabiniers, along with other law enforcement structures, are not only focused on applying administrative or criminal sanctions; the prevention component is also very important," she added.
The campaign "Don't Lose Your Vote" has been launched to prevent electoral corruption, which includes video spots and informational materials for all citizens, the minister said.
The minister also reported a rise in threats against police, judges, journalists and opinion leaders, and said unrealistic promises of financial rewards were also emerging. She stressed that police were constantly monitoring social media, including TikTok and Telegram, for messages aimed at dividing society and attacking senior government figures.
The law provides for fines of between 25,000 and 37,500 lei for people who accept or solicit goods, services or undue advantages to influence electoral rights during elections.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
