The Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Louis O'Neill called today on central and regional authorities to ensure fair and equal campaign conditions for the 3 December elections for the Bashkan (Governor) of the autonomous Gagauz region in southern Moldova.

"These elections are a test case not only for Gagauzia, but for Moldova as a whole," Ambassador O'Neill said upon return from a fact-finding trip to the region.

In his meetings yesterday with the Chairman of the Gagauz Election Commission, Viktor Koloshin, incumbent Bashkan, Georgi Tabunshik, and his challengers Mihail Formuzal, Nikolai Dodoglo and Aleksandr Stoianoglo, Ambassador O'Neill underlined the importance of fair and equal campaign conditions.

He also urged restraint from use of administrative resources and transparency at every stage for truly free and fair elections, adding: "The 2005 parliamentary elections in Moldova fell short on some key commitments, particularly regarding equal access to the media and overall campaign conditions. In past elections in Gagauzia we have noted similar problems. It's unlikely that anyone will be satisfied with the outcome of this year's elections if we do not see a clear improvement in these areas."

Ambassador O'Neill emphasized the right to stand as a candidate as a fundamental principle of a genuinely democratic electoral process.

"We will in this regard attentively study the case of Valeriy Ianioglo, who has been denied registration after a large number of signatures in support of his candidacy were disqualified by the Election Commission," the Head of the OSCE Mission said.

Ianioglo is supported by the Patria-Rodina Party, which received 51.5% of the vote in the region during the 2005 parliamentary elections.

As in previous elections in the autonomous Gagauz region the OSCE Mission will carry out an assessment of the election process, closely following election preparations and visiting polling stations on Election Day.