Parliament adopts new Electoral Code of the Republic of Moldova
The Parliament adopted the Electoral Code of the Republic of Moldova. According to the president of the Legal, Appointments and Immunities Commission, Olesea Stamate, it implements over 140 recommendations of the international election monitoring missions.
Moreover, the document provides for the permanentization and professionalization of electoral bodies. "Clear competences in the field of monitoring the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns. Clear rules regarding the electoral campaign and voting, the organization of referendums. It clarifies the aspects related to the electoral appeals and the way of examining them", stated Olesea Stamate. Thus, in exceptional situations, such as pandemic, state of emergency, in some constituencies, the elections will be held over two days (Saturday and Sunday), by way of derogation from the general rule. This is to be determined by the decision of the Central Electoral Commission, at least 25 days before the day of the election. "This is how we will ensure that all citizens, regardless of whether they are in the country or in the diaspora, can exercise their right to vote without restriction", said Olesea Stamate. At the same time, in order to facilitate voters' access to the electoral process, citizens will be given the right to vote both based on the ballot or the provisional ID and the passport, regardless of the type of ballot. The document also establishes clear principles regarding the coverage of the elections by the media. Media institutions will have the obligation to respect the principles of equity, balance and impartiality in the context of the media coverage of electoral campaigns. Otherwise, they risk being sanctioned gradually by the Audiovisual Council. The electoral code of the Republic of Moldova was voted by 55 deputies.
