PresidentialElection2024/Expert Forum keeps track of voting issues and irregularities

Autor: Meilă Emilia-Alexandra

Publicat: 24-11-2024

Actualizat: 24-11-2024

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Sursă foto: microsoft.com

Obstacles or hindrances to voting access for the Bucharesters casting their ballots in the local referendum and difficult access for accredited observers to polling stations are among the irregularities reported through the Vote Monitor app, public policies and government reform think-tank Expert Forum (EFOR) announced on Sunday, informs Agerpres.

"As of 15:00 p.m., the VotCorect Coalition had centralized a series of irregularities and incidents reported by observers and citizens through the Vote Monitor app, call center at 0800 460 002 - which took in almost 180 calls, and the online platform www.votcorect.ro. Most complaints refer to hindrances or difficult access to voting for Bucharesters in the referendum. Other irregularities have to do with the failure to comply with electoral procedures, limited understanding of the voting procedures, difficult access of accredited observers to polling stations, observers accredited by other organizations getting directly involved in the electoral process, the continuation of the electoral campaign and the publication of possible exit polls," Expert Forum specified in a statement.

According to data collected through the VoteMonitor app, the opening of the polling stations earned positive assessments (good or very good) in 97% of the almost 200 monitored polling stations, including on Friday and Saturday in the overseas voting locations. The most frequent issues reported by observers were the presence of unauthorized persons in 5% of cases and the delayed opening of the stations in 6% of cases, the cited source states.

As of 13:30 p.m., the voting process was assessed as good or very good in 95% of the over 300 polling stations visited by Vot Corect observers.

"Observers reported crowding in 20% of the visited polling stations and a tense atmosphere in 5%. Unauthorized persons were present in 7% of the polling stations observed, and in 3% persons from outside the Polling Station's Electoral Bureau intervened in its activity. In eight cases, observers reported that voters received more ballots than they were entitled to, and in two cases that they were allowed to vote without proper ID papers. In 2.5% of cases, observers considered the process to lack transparency. In 12% of the polling stations observed, there was at least one case in which voters residing in other localities were not allowed to vote in the presidential round. In Bucharest, not all polling stations correctly applied the procedures regarding the conduct of the referendum, and in 14 cases voters with their residence or domicile outside the locality were able to vote in the referendum. Regrettably, 25% of the polling stations visited are not fitted to allow access to people with disabilities," Expert Forum states.

The mentioned source shows that among the most frequently reported problems are those of people who have difficulties voting in Bucharest with a residence visa.

Expert Forum brings to mind that, according to BEC Decision 6/2024, voters can cast their ballots in the locality where they have their domicile or residence, regardless of its length of time.

Observers also reported difficulties in their being allowed access to the polling stations. "In some polling stations in Bucharest, Turin and Vienna, their access was hindered by unjustified requests for additional documents such as copies of the identity card or accreditation papers in a format other than that required by law."

Also, several complaints were received regarding the continuation of the electoral campaign on election day, which can be found on the votcorect.ro page.

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