Moldovan Central Electoral Commission rejects request for registration of initiative group supporting launch of local referendum to recall mayor of Cosnita commune

The Central Election Commission (CEC) today rejected the request to register the initiative group supporting the launch of a local referendum on recalling the mayor of Cosnita commune, eastern Dubasari district.

When examining the submitted documents, the Commission checked their compliance with legal provisions and requested that the initiative group remedy identified irregularities, provide additional clarifications, and submit the viewpoint of the mayor of Cosnita commune.

"Following the examination of all documents and arguments presented, the CEC found that no evidence was submitted to confirm, in the manner established by law, the existence of grounds for initiating a local referendum to recall the mayor, even though the procedural conditions regarding the establishment of the initiative group were met," the institution underlined.

The Commission noted that, according to the Electoral Code, the recall of a mayor by referendum may be initiated only if the mayor does not respect the interests of the local community, fails to properly exercise the duties of a local elected official, or violates moral and ethical norms, and only if such actions are confirmed in the legally established manner.

"The CEC pointed out that recalling a mayor by referendum is an exceptional measure, which can be initiated only under the conditions expressly provided by law and on the basis of facts confirmed by relevant evidence. The Commission noted that the arguments put forward by the initiators are not supported by sufficient factual and legal elements to prove the existence of legal grounds for launching such a procedure," the CEC emphasized.

Consequently, the Commission rejected the request to register the initiative group supporting the launch of the local referendum on recalling the mayor of Cosnita commune, Dubasari district, as well as the request to issue ID cards to the members of the initiative group and the subscription lists.