PUBLIC CALL

The signatory member organizations of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (CALC)

Urge candidates for president of the Republic of Moldova, their campaign staff, and political parties that have designated or support candidates:

• to observe the mandatory general rules set to prevent and combat the COVID-19 infection rigorously and with utmost conscientiousness in conducting election campaigns;
• to observe the measures set to prevent and contain the COVID-19 infection to protect all election participants.

On November 1, 2020, the Republic of Moldova will hold the 2020 presidential election. The presidential election will take place amid the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 15, 2020, the National Extraordinary Commission for Public Health imposed a state of public health emergency throughout the Republic of Moldova. On October 13, 2020, just over two weeks before the presidential election, the National Extraordinary Commission for Public Health (NECPH) imposed a public health emergency with the Red Alert Level in most administrative-territorial units (except the districts of Hâncești, Leova, and Soroca). Over the past weeks, there has been a significant increase in the number of persons infected with the COVID-19 virus and the number of deaths caused by this infection nationwide. The pandemic has impacted severely healthcare, education, and businesses and has led to an even wider spread of poverty in the Republic of Moldova.

In this alarming situation of the ever-growing number of COVID-19 infection cases, which coincides with the election campaign period, it is particularly important to rigorously observe the mandatory general rules set to prevent and combat the COVID-19 infection at meetings with voters organized by presidential candidates. On August 12, 2020, the National Extraordinary Commission for Public Health adopted a series of rules to prevent and combat the COVID-19 infection during the election rounds, including the mandatory wearing of safety masks, the observance of the minimal social distance of one meter, the prohibition of mass gatherings that have more than 50 participants, etc.

CALC member organizations noticed that, unfortunately, some candidates for president of the Republic of Moldova and their campaign staff did not observe the safety measures and mandatory rules for preventing and combating the COVID-19 infection imposed by NECPH decision of August 12, 2020, at electioneering events organized and held with voters during the election campaign

CALC member organizations consider that presidential campaign participants’ failure to observe the measures and rules set to prevent and combat the COVID-19 infection shows recklessness and disrespect for voters and can lead to an increase in the number of people infected with COVID-19. This will have negative effects not only on the election process but also on the healthcare system and the general crisis caused by COVID-19 in our country. Presidential candidates, their campaign staff, and political parties that designated or support them should show conscientiousness and be an example worthy of emulation for all people of the country in observing all rules for preventing and combating the COVID-19 infection.