People of the Gagauz autonomy have high expectations from the future Bashkan: from cheaper gas to higher pensions
Decisive day in the Gagauz autonomy, where today the second round of elections for the position of Bashkan took place. People had to choose between Grigorii Uzun, the candidate supported by the Socialist Party, and the representative of the " Șor " party, Evghenia Guțul. Both candidates received around 15,000 votes in the first round on 30 April. Officials at the electoral offices say the turnout was lower in the second election.
Until the last day, it was unclear whether the second round of elections would take place. All because of suspicions of violations of the Electoral Code by Evgenia Gutka's staff. The Comrat Electoral Council found no reason to withdraw her candidacy, and this morning all polling stations opened.
The 65 polling stations opened their doors at 07:00, and by 15:00, the turnout exceeded the minimum threshold of one third of voters and was 35.72%. The poll was thus validated. By 18:45, voters had mobilised and the turnout rose to 45 percent. In the second round of elections for the position of Bashkan of Gagauzia, the most active voters were in Russian Chechnya, where 66 percent of villagers cast their ballots, as well as in Bugeac. The people of Bugeac say they want a better life and for the next Bashkan to be close to them.
"To listen to the people, that's the first thing. To lead with dignity in all these four years. We want the best, of course. That everything will change. Maybe gas will be cheaper, pensioners will have more possibilities because they, the poor, can neither heat themselves in winter nor buy anything. ";
Even though Bugeac is among the towns with the most active voters, polling station officials say there were more people at the first election.
"The voting process is going smoothly, without incident. The first round was more crowded. But now there are fewer people ", says the president of polling station 35, Anastasia Chiufi.
The same thing was noticed by the people in charge of polling stations in the villages of Avdarma and Ferapontievca.
"So far 756 voters have voted. If we compare with the first round, we have fewer people. But we are not closed yet. We are waiting ", says the chairwoman of the electoral office in Avdarma, Anna Nedeliacova.
"There are 649 people expected on the lists. So far, 200 voters have voted, which is 31 percent less than in the first election," says Svetlana Buț, chairwoman of the Ferapontievca polling station.
The most passive voters were in the village of Congazcic, but also in Comrat, where at 18:00 the turnout was less than 40 percent. Some voters look sceptically at the two candidates for the position of Bashkan, while others have high expectations.
"- Doesn't it put you on your guard that both candidates are inexperienced? - You always have to start somewhere. We all came to earth without knowing anything to do. I think if they're serious about the job, experience comes with years. ";
"It's going to be hard for us. They have no experience of running a region. "
People have high expectations of the new mayor.
"I want peace. I want people to live in wealth."
"Let's increase pensions a little. More jobs."
Until now, Irina Vlah, who has served two consecutive terms and has been unable to run for the post, has been the Bashkan.
