The stakes in these presidential elections are very high. The campaign has highlighted divisions and discontent in society and polarized public opinion. After Sunday, we will need to be able to continue to live together regardless of our differences of opinion, to listen to and understand each other, and to find explanations for how we got here. We call for calm and responsibility on the part of the candidates and their supporters, both on election day and after the results are announced. Calm and responsibility are essential to restore both the confidence of Romanians in democracy and that of our external partners in Romania’s ability to remain a democratic, solid, and credible state in a turbulent geopolitical context.
We call on the candidates and their supporters to refrain from unfounded accusations, aggression, discrimination, threats against the other camp, and any kind of provocative agitation, so as not to further inflame public opinion. We have noticed that numerous suggestions have appeared in the public sphere indicating that the elections could be rigged. In the absence of concrete evidence, which should be submitted to the relevant institutions, such insinuations have very harmful effects. We believe that such campaigns only serve to undermine confidence in the electoral process and its results. We call on the authorities to be vigilant and ready to intervene to maintain public order throughout the electoral process and after its conclusion.
It is essential that Romanian voters have confidence in the fairness and integrity of the electoral process in Romania. It is essential that public authorities do not tolerate abuses and irregularities, ensure the correct application of the law as quickly as possible, and be more transparent and communicate more promptly and empathetically with citizens than they have done in the past. The Vot Corect Coalition is monitoring the entire electoral process with 1,300 observers and will report any irregularities observed during the three days of voting. Also, on Monday at 1 p.m., we will present to the public an assessment of the second round of elections. We invite anyone who observes irregularities to report them to us at votcorect.ro or to the call center at 0800 460 002 and to immediately notify the responsible authorities if the law is being violated or the integrity of the elections is being compromised.
We call on candidates and their supporters to accept the election results with fair play, whatever they may be. It is fundamental for the Romanian people’s trust in democracy and for Romania’s political and economic stability that the election results be recognized with dignity by those who lose. The essence of democracy lies in people’s belief that their vote counts and that state institutions will defend this right.
Signatories
Expert Forum
Rădăuțiul Civic
Civic Association
Center for Civic Resources
Center for the Study of Democracy
Code for Romania
FILIA Center
Politică la minut (Center for Democracy and Good Governance)
CeRe: Resource Center for Public Participation
Romanian Center for European Policies
ApTI – Association for Technology and Internet
ActiveWatch
Center for Independent Journalism
The Fair Vote Coalition is made up of Expert Forum, the Center for Civic Resources, Civica, the Center for the Study of Democracy, Rădăuțiul Civic, the Electoral Observer, the Federation of Law Students’ Associations in Romania, and Code for Romania.