Transdnestr: Opposition presidential contender Safonov insists protest voting was higher

Read it in Russian

Presidential contender at election in Transdnestr Andrei Safonov, who won 3.9% of votes, said in an interview to a REGNUM correspondent that he “had all the grounds to put under question results of the election.”

“I do not comprehend why under results of exit-polls held by the New Century Independent Center for Analytical Studies, President Smirnov received 63.34%, and under official reports the figure is much higher. At the same time, it is not clear for me, why under reports of the Central Election Commission 1.6% voted against all candidates. First, over 16% refused to answer the questions on the voting day; I believe they were not voting for Smirnov. Secondly, the level of protest voting in Transdnestr is traditionally higher,” opposition candidate Andrei Safonov believes.

REGNUM information:

According to Transdnestr Central Election Commission information, the turnout at presidential election in Transdnestr on December 10 was 66.1%. 82.4% voted for the incumbent president, Igor Smirnov. Nadezhda Bondarenko (candidate from the Communist Party) received 8.1%. Oppositionist Andrei Safonov has 3.9%. Member of the TMR Supreme Council Pyotr Tomayly won 2.1%. 1.6% voted against all candidatures, 4,627 ballots were pronounced void. Transdnestr Vice President will be Interior Minister Alexander Korolyev.