POLITICS - 22nd February 2005
The report of OSCEâs Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) regarding the 2004 general elections in Romania shows the deficiencies of the legislature, the problems at the votesâ counting and criticises the annulment of the voting cards.
by GABRIELA ANTONIU
According to the report made public last week, one of the main problems noticed during these elections was the Parliamentâs annulment of the voting cards, even though the law mentions them. In exchange, the method of attaching stickers with the sign "voted" on the back of the identity cards was used. They could have easily been detached.
MEASURES
CEB (the Central Electoral Bureau) took some measures afterwards. They were meant to restrict the voting on the special lists for some voting sections. However, the way in which these measures were applied led to the confusion of the electorate and generated questions regarding the Bureauâs right of modifying the electoral Law.DEFICIENCIES
The electionsâ administration mechanisms generally worked in a transparent and productive manner, even though there were some problems at the voting sections. This proves that the members of the electoral commissions need to be better prepared. The current method for naming the members of the Permanent Electoral Authority, which is to work during the periods between the electoral cycles, should be revised in order to provide a balanced representation.Translation : SORIN BALAN