IRI Announces Delegation to Observe Moldova’s February 24 Elections

Chisinau, Moldova—The International Republican Institute (IRI) today announced the members of its election observation mission to Moldova for the February 24, 2019 parliamentary election, and the launch of the Moldova Election Snapshot election portal.

Former congressman and IRI board member Jim Kolbe will lead the international observer delegation, which is scheduled to arrive in Moldova on February 19. He will be joined on the leadership team by IRI Vice President for Programs Scott Mastic and IRI Regional Director for Eurasia Stephen Nix.

In addition to the leaders, the delegation will include 25 short-term observers, including:

• Ambassador Victor Ashe, former United States Ambassador to Poland
• Mr. Jason Emert, Chair, Young Republican National Federation
• Ms. Brenda Furniere, Head of President’s Office, European People’s Party
• Ms. Agnieszka Gmys-Wiktor, Program Officer, National Endowment for Democracy 
• Ms. Eva Gustavsson, Managing Director, Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation
• Ms. Hana Hopko, Member of Parliament, Ukrainian Rada
• Mr. Barry Jackson, former Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House and former Senior Advisor to the President of the United States
• Mr. Laurynas Kasciunas, Member of Parliament, Lithuanian Seimas
• Mr. James Kirchick, Foreign Correspondent, Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution
• Mr. Jonathan Olsson, Senior Project Manager, Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation
• Ms. Corina Rebegea, Director of the U.S.-Romania Initiative and Fellow-in-Residence at Center for European Policy Analysis
• Mr. Grady Summers, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, FireEye

The short-term observers will join 14 international long-term observers who have been in place across Moldova since December 2018, and three analysts who have provided in-depth analysis of the media, electoral and legal landscape for the mission.  

Prior to the election, delegates will be briefed by political party representatives and Moldovan election officials.  They will also be briefed on the rights and responsibilities of international observers and Moldovan election law.  Delegates will then be deployed throughout the country where they will observe polling stations and identify and evaluate strengths and weaknesses in Moldova’s election system, including campaign regulations, the balloting process, vote tabulation and reporting. IRI will issue a preliminary statement on the findings of the delegation after Election Day. 

IRI also announced the launch of its Moldova Election Snapshot, a dynamic election portal that will provide real-time and responsive reporting. The portal features key findings from on-the-ground observers, an interactive map showing the observation mission’s presence across Moldova, and will include deeper analysis as the election unfolds.

Background

IRI has organized more than 200 international election observation missions around the globe, earning a reputation for impartiality and professionalism. The IRI Mission has received accreditation from the Moldovan Central Election Commission to observe the electoral process and will conduct its activities on a strictly independent and nonpartisan basis, without interfering in the election process and conforming to the laws of Moldova. IRI’s election observation missions adhere to the principles set forward in the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct launched at the United Nations in 2005 and will base its findings on international standards for elections.

About IRI

A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the International Republican Institute (IRI) advances freedom and democracy worldwide by helping political parties to become more responsive, strengthening transparent and accountable governance, and working to increase the role of marginalized groups in the political process – including women and youth. More information is available at www.iri.org.