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Romanian NGOs Want Referendum Challenged At Constitutional Court

Four Romanian non-government organizations called on the country's ombudsman to notify the Constitution Court on potential breach of human rights, saying President Traian Basescu has the upper hand in election over other presidential contenders by appearing on two sets of electoral posters.
Romanian NGOs Want Referendum Challenged At Constitutional Court
29 oct. 2009, 13:39, English

Non-government organizations Pro Democratia, the Center for Juridical Research, Transparency Romania and the Press Monitoring Agency pointed out that Basescu, who is running for reelection, appears on two electoral posters, one calling on people to vote at the referendum to downsize the Parliament and his electoral posters for the presidential race.

They also said this situation might breach human rights and liberties, as stipulated in the Constitution of Romania, adding it is not fair toward the other presidential candidates.

Victor Alistar, head of Transparency International Romania (TI-Ro), stressed the casting of ballots in the same polling stations and the same ballot box, and voting on the same list for both referendum and president could trigger attempts to defraud elections, even worse than electoral tourism.

Basescu has been widely criticized for calling a referendum to downsize the Parliament on election day and his gesture was interpreted by political rivals as a scheme to get people to go to the polls and vote for him.