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At least ten communes and cities, where the electoral dispute is “on the brink”, the result of the election could be decided by the floats. There are people who theoretically live 1 year in the respective commune and who have the right to vote. Basically, most of them don’t live in their new homes at all and only come to vote for a certain candidate. In general, incumbent mayors take advantage of this opportunity, through which they can obtain a new mandate to lead the local administration.
The situation is widespread throughout the country and has led the Interior Ministry leadership to impose additional measures. Thus, it is verified whether applicants for a floating visa live in the respective addresses for more than 15 days, as established by law, respectively if there are several people with a fleet at a certain address. However, the police controls are delayed, because the floating visa business started in June, with a peak in August, since the September data is not updated.
Almost 900 “floats” in August
A document from the Community Public Directorate for the Registration of Persons states that, in Alba, between June and August 2020, more than 1,600 people established their residence with the help of a floating visa in several communes and cities of the region, of which some 900 only in August. In four communes (Ceru Băcăinţi, Ohaba, Ponor and Râmeţ), the number of floaters approaches or even exceeds 10% of the number of people registered on the electoral lists. In the Ponor commune, in the Apuseni Mountains, there are only 528 voters. Four years ago, Mayor Petruţ Bujor (PNL) won the elections with 249 votes, 11 more than the second-place candidate, representing the PSD. In this commune, between June and August, 65 floating visas were registered, of which 24 in July and 26 in August. In Ohaba, a commune with 530 voters, the number of floats is 53, of which 45 in August. Mayor Adrian Mihălţan is now running on behalf of the PNL, after in 2016 he won the post of mayor with PSD and won with 280 votes. In Râmeţ, a commune with 465 voters, there are also 32 people with floating visas, 25 suddenly decided, in August, to move to the mountain commune in Alba county, where the only jobs are those in the town hall and college.
Communicate with 30% of voters with a floating visa
In Ceru Băcăinţi, one of the smallest in Romania in terms of population, the situation with floating visas is ridiculous. There are 214 voters on the electoral roll here, and 33 floating visas were registered in July and August. In the first half of September another 32 “floats” appeared. In the local elections on September 27, more than 30% of the voters will be those with a floating visa. In 2016, Ioan Trif (PMP) won the seat of mayor of the commune with 87 votes. The PNL and ALDE candidates came in second place, both with 69 votes. In the electoral lists there were, four years ago, 231 inhabitants of the commune, the participation being almost 100%. In 2020, the number of voters on the electoral roll was reduced to 214 people. On September 27, theoretically, 118 men and 96 women will go to the polls. The turnout will be at least 100% again, the number of votes will be ensured by the “floaters” who will vote in the only electoral college in Ceru Băcăinţi.
The vote of the floats, decisive in many small communes
Even in such a small commune, the office of mayor is important. The accumulated income for one year exceeds 50,000 lei. However, none of the four mentioned communes manages to secure at least the salaries of the officials and mayor’s offices throughout the year. The initial budget has a maximum duration of 6-7 months. When the budget is rectified, the necessary money is allocated to ensure the salaries and expenses of the local administration until the end of the year.
The vote of people with a floating visa could be decisive in other localities where the electoral dispute is high, and the difference between the candidates is sometimes quantified in a few dozen votes. In spring, with about 2,000 voters, there are more than 40 people with floating visas, in the Arieşeni commune (1,432 voters) there are at least 48 “floaters”, in Almaşu Mare (1,035 voters) we have more than 30 new voters, and In the city of Câmpeni (6,323 voters), in the three months mentioned 80 people registered and settled here.
The mayors refuse to comment on the situation of the “floaters” in the towns they manage, claiming only that, according to the law, everyone has the right to establish their residence wherever they want for a period of one year.
Controversial decision of the BEC
The Central Electoral Office (BEC) recently decided that a person can vote, even if the computer system to monitor participation and prevent illegal voting indicates that the person has already voted. This is because Romania does not have a bug-free computer system and the president of the voting station cannot prevent a person from voting, because only a court can revoke this right by a final decision.
According to the document, the information that appears in the system is verified by the president of the polling station with the president of the polling station where it appears that the person would have voted. If no signature appears next to the voter’s name, they are allowed to vote. If a signature appears, the person can vote, but must complete a report and be informed that they are subject to vote fraud, which is punishable by imprisonment from six months to three years or a fine and ban. rights.
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