Over 6,000 citizens penalized for electoral corruption

Over 6,000 citizens were penalized for electoral corruption during the elections of last fall. In total, more than 140,000 citizens are being investigated in criminal cases. Head of the General Inspectorate of Police (IGP) Viorel Cernăuțeanu unveiled the data today.

According to the IGP chief, all individuals investigated in criminal cases will be documented by law enforcement. Thus, the most cases of electoral corruption were registered in Gagauzia, Taraclia, Bălți, Orhei, Fălești, and Râșcani.


'A year ago, the process of electoral corruption began through the PSB application. Individuals acted through closed and secure Telegram channels. In October 2024, transfers to beneficiaries were rumored to exceed 39 million dollars. I assure you that the amounts offered will not be sufficient to cover the fines imposed for acts of electoral corruption,' Cernăuțeanu said.


He stressed that so far, over 6,000 contraventional fines have been issued. Of the total number of reports, 3% have been contested.


'The individuals under investigation are divided into three categories. These include those who have cooperated with the police and provided information, subsequently identifying other persons. Another category includes citizens who admit their guilt. The last category concerns those who do not want to cooperate with the investigation. In this case, it’s about local level organizers,' he said.


The IGP leadership urged citizens to cooperate with the authorities to be exempted from punishment.

For electoral corruption, fines ranging from 25,000 lei to 37,500 lei per case are applied, with individuals being penalized for accepting or receiving goods, services, privileges or advantages in any form, for the purpose of exercising or non-exercising of electoral rights within elections.

An individual who has committed the contraventional act is exempt from contraventional liability if they have self-reported or actively contributed to the discovery or prevention of the act of electoral corruption.