Electoral technology testing ground: Russia prepares revenge in Moldova

Russia is using Moldova as a testing ground for hybrid technologies to interfere in electoral processes. There have also been unprecedented attempts to bribe voters not only through handing out money, but also through the financing of pro-Russian parties with cryptocurrencies.

This was reported on the air of “Pryamoy” by Iryna Gerashchenko, People’s Deputy of Ukraine, co-chair of the “European Solidarity” faction, who is in Moldova as an official observer of the international mission of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament.

“There are essentially two parties competing for the first place. This is “Action and Solidarity”, close to the current president Maia Sando, and the pro-Russian “Patriotic Bloc” of former president Dodon, which unites the communist and socialist parties. The Central Election Commission has restricted the activities of another party that is part of this bloc, it is called “Heart of Moldova”. We heard the position of the CEC chairman that it has been proven that this party is financed from outside. There are undeclared funds, attempts to bribe voters,” Gerashchenko informs.

According to her, this is the first time that not just a party is withdrawing, but a part of a bloc. “I don’t know how this will mobilize the pro-Russian electorate, or whether it will make citizens think about the inadmissibility of external funding. But the sociological survey shows a large number of undecided voters,” the MP added.

She also reported that Russia is using Moldova as a testing ground for testing hybrid technologies for interfering in electoral processes.

“During briefings for the international mission, we heard words familiar to Ukrainians, such as “carousels”, which are also very disturbing here. Russia is using Moldova as a testing ground for testing hybrid technologies for interfering in electoral processes. Unprecedented attempts to bribe voters have been recorded not only through the distribution of money, but also through the financing of pro-Russian parties with cryptocurrencies,” Gerashchenko noted.

The representative of the international mission recalled that on the eve of the elections, Moldovan President Maia Sando stated that Russia’s interference in the electoral process could also affect attempts to destabilize the situation not only in Moldova, but also in Ukraine through the Odessa region, increasing aggression and intervention.

“That’s why the results are very important to us. As an observation mission, we must be impartial, only record violations. But for me, as a person who supports Moldova and understands election processes well, it is important to know what manipulations Russia is trying to use here. Because it is obvious that if this succeeds, Russia will promote these hybrid methods in other elections in EU countries and in Ukraine after our victory,” emphasizes Iryna Gerashchenko, co-chair of the European Solidarity faction.

As a reminder, parliamentary elections are being held in Moldova on September 28. Two days before the elections, the Central Election Commission decided to move five polling stations designated for voters from Transnistria tens of kilometers away. The CEC of Moldova stated that the decision was made after reports from the General Inspectorate, the police, and the Security Service, which pointed to risks in the security zone, including possible false reports of bombs and other provocations.

At the same time, Russia is trying to push Moldova away from its chosen course towards the European Union. Political analysts note Russia’s active interference in the parliamentary elections . Some figures trying to obtain accreditation as international observers have already been seen at pseudo-referendums in Crimea and the occupied territories of Donbas and Abkhazia.

Earlier it was reported that a scandal broke out in Moldova on the eve of the parliamentary elections due to a cyberattack on the Central Election Commission . Deputy Prime Minister Doina Nistor has already stated that Russia is involved in the incident, which is trying to destabilize the situation in the country. The cyberattack occurred a few days before the vote and, according to her, was part of a wider hybrid campaign.

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