The latest statements and preparing ahead of referendum

On Friday, Crin Antonescu, Interim President , said that while the campaign for the referendum was "intense" and in an atmosphere of tension, it was held in terms of normal democratic point of view.

The interim President would like to thank all the participants in one camp or the other, organizers of public events and all police forces that have competed at "keeping a legal framework, civilized, democratic support of these events, in one direction or the other."

As exhortation to vote, Crin Antonescu stated that "the referendum is a consultation of the whole nation in a specific matter that is considered to be of national interest" and told them that "the citizens of each of us have the right to vote, to choose whether or not to use this right, to elect what and how to vote , if we decide to use it."

Crin Antonescu stated that Romania is a democratic State in which behaviour is mature and "we are with nothing short to none of our partners in the EU".

Interim President, has passed on the eve of the conclusion of the campaign and before July 29 vote, a message for all people who work in public institutions, with responsibility for the proper conduct of the referendum.

" I demand to all these institutions to make their debt in full, to respect, defend and enforce where applicable law and only the law" Crin Antonescu said.

He appreciated that the Romanian Government and all institutions concerned have taken all necessary measures for the proper conduct of the referendum.

Traian Băsescu is afraid of rigging the referendum

The President suspended outlined at a press conference, items related to the referendum which they concern.

Traian Băsescu said that never in the tradition of voting in Romania has not exceeded 21.00, and this referendum will run until 23.00.

The President suspended said that he has suspicions that they are linked to the referendum rigging and that there is no representative electoral commissions in the PDL.

Traian Băsescu also said that supplementary lists are not shown separately in the minutes.

"This makes it impossible to detect multiple vote", added the President suspended.

President Traian Băsescu also said that it is not normal to have polling stations at the huts, restaurants or private apartments.

"For the first time it is not established the number of stamps in a polling station. Moreover, the stamps are not customized for the polling stations, "said Traian Basescu.

He called on Romanians not to participate in the referendum, which is hiding behind "a coup"

"I ask Romanians not to share in a serious state of leadership decapitation, "Basescu said.

Former President Ion Iliescu, appeal to Romanians to participate in referendum

Former President of Romania Ion Iliescu argues that the massive participation of the citizens in a referendum on suspended president Traian Băsescu impeachment is necessary for the stability of the country.

In a posting on his blog, Ion Iliescu, criticizes President Băsescu supporters’ decision to boycott the referendum on Sunday, and statements about the alleged coup d ' état in Romania.

Former President of Romania stressed that recourse to a referendum, so consult with citizens, is an eminently democratic procedure.

PDL President urges Romanians not to participate in referendum

President, Vasile Blaga PDL, urges the voters not to participate in the referendum on Sunday, saying that the right to vote is not an obligation.

Vasile Blaga has accused USL having "rigged rules for the referendum" and " prepares a huge fraud" at the referendum of dismissal of the President suspended.

"The Government has refused to provide cameras in the set up polling stations , as you saw today, in taverns, hotels, homes of members of their changing, lockers of some football teams.

"They refused to separate the additional voting lists from the permanent lists of voters, it can hardly be detected as multiple vote, securing the stamps to vote, statements on oath of those who vote on additional lists. PDL secured at their request, in 2009, all these conditions, "said Blaga.

Relu Fenechiu, Vice-President of the National Liberal Party, accused again, on Friday, the pressures that put on them the supporters of the President suspended to prevent Romanians with right to vote to take part in Sunday's referendum on the dismissal of President Traian B[sescu.

"There are already many indicators on attempts of bulletins with which people may participate in the vote by the representatives of PDL. Dear colleagues, let’s all watch them! Don't forget, they advertise a coup, but the coup is prevented from voting by the Romanians.

" We hear that Traian Băsescu was suspended by 256 MPs. We have to demonstrate to Traian B[sescu that he would be sacked over by 10 millions of Romanians ", says Relu Fenechiu.

Last preparations for referendum

In the country there are made the last preparations for Sunday's referendum, in which the citizens entitled to vote are called to decide on the impeachment of the suspended President Traian Băsescu.

Friday is the last day of the campaign, which will end Saturday at 7: 00 pm.

On Sunday, about 18 million 300 thousand voters are expected to vote in the 18.548 polling stations , of whom 306 abroad.

Citizens participating in the referendum are to decide by "Yes" or "no" to the question on the ballot: "Do you agree with the dismissal of the President of Romania, Mr. Traian Băsescu?".

Dismissal is approved if it obtained the majority of citizens’ voting that were presented at turnouts , but for the referendum to be validated at the July 29 poll, there must submit half plus one of the total number of electors, i.e. 9.146.258 Romanians.

Polling stations open Sunday at 7: 00 and closes at 23: 00.

Voters may vote at any polling station, only if they are not in the place of their domiciles.

Otherwise, citizens may exercise the right to vote only in the section subordinated -the Central Electoral Bureau informs.

More than 33,000 employees of the Interior Ministry have been mobilized for the proper conduct of the referendum on Sunday.

Transport the ballots to town halls across the country began Friday and is under guard.

Authorities point out that fraudulent voting shall be punishable by law with imprisonment from six months to five years.

To prevent tourism, in several electoral districts there will be organised filters of the traffic police.

Attorney general, Laura Codruţa Kövesi ordered the criminal action to trigger ex officio in the case of possible crimes, such as bribery, to determine whether or not the elector to vote, or prevent the exercise of the right to vote.

Any irregularities and frauds can be announced at a number with free access: 0800070100 and on the website alegericorecte.ro provided by the Pro Democrația Association.


Translated by
Denisse-Meda Bucura
MTTLC, Bucharest University