Ballots doubled for diaspora in February elections. How many Moldovans abroad expected to vote
The number of ballots for the diaspora will be doubled at the February 24th parliamentary elections comparing the 2016 presidential election. Several polling stations will also be opened, including in countries such as Croatia, Georgia, Norway and the United Arab Emirates, which is a premiere. A decision in this regard was approved today by the Government, in order to ensure the rights of our citizens abroad. Around 625 thousand Moldovans from the diaspora are expected to vote in these elections.
In total, 125 polling stations will be opened, 25 stations more than the previous elections.
42 departments will work in diplomatic missions and consular offices.
The fewest number of voting polls - 29 will be opened in Italy. Next, Romania and the United States of America - 12 stations, France - 7, Portugal, Spain - 5 and UK, Northern Ireland - 4.
The number of polling stations increases every year: 75 stations were opened abroad in 2010, in 2014 - 95, in 2016 - 100 and 2019 - 125.
In February election, 2.5 million ballots will be printed for the Diaspora.
In each section, 20,000 ballots will be distributed to five thousand voters, for the polls and the referendum. It's the highest number of people who are able to express their voting option at a single section, 2000 more than the presidential election in 2016.
"In order to avoid the situation of 2016 election where some polling stations have been depleted at some polling stations. The Moldovan Parliament has made changes to the Electoral Code, which increased the maximum number of ballots distributed from 3,000 ballots to 5,000 ballots, "said Foreign Minister Tudor Ulianovschi.
However, president Igor Dodon criticizes the government's decision, which he considers discriminatory. Specifically, Dodon, during a meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Miroslav Lajcak, expressed his dissatisfaction that only 11 polling stations would be set up in Russia.
The February 24th elections will be based on the mixed electoral system. Precisely, 50 deputies will be elected on party lists, and 51 in uninominal or direct constituencies. Three uninominal constituencies were established for Moldova diaspora.