---
title: "Moldova tightens electoral rules ahead of Gagauzia regional vote"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/83901/moldova-tightens-electoral-rules-ahead-of-gagauzia-regional-vote
published: 2026-08-27T10:09:32Z
language: en
author: "Liubomir Guțu"
section: "Regional"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Moldova tightens electoral rules ahead of Gagauzia regional vote

> Moldova will hold elections for the People's Assembly of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia on November 15, 2026, exactly one year after the regional legislature's mandate expired. President Maia Sandu enacted sweeping amendments to the national Electoral Code on Wednesday, shortly after parliament passed the bill and the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) approved the official electoral calendar.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/b59e202a-6980-491b-afb9-b540e69655f3.jpg)

Moldova will hold elections for the People's Assembly of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia on November 15, 2026, exactly one year after the regional legislature's mandate expired. President Maia Sandu enacted sweeping amendments to the national Electoral Code on Wednesday, shortly after parliament passed the bill and the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) approved the official electoral calendar.

[Document](https://presedinte.md/app/webroot/Decrete/751-n.pdf)

The legislative reform integrates Gagauzia's regional balloting directly into the national electoral framework and significantly expands the CEC's oversight. The vote comes amid a protracted leadership vacuum in Comrat, where the regional assembly has operated past its mandate and the governorship has remained vacant following the conviction of former Governor Evghenia Guțul, who received a seven-year prison sentence over illicit party financing.

**New electoral rules and eligibility criteria**

The amended code enforces a July 9 Constitutional Court ruling requiring Gagauzia to transition from a majoritarian constituency model to a proportional representation system matching the rest of the country. The upcoming November 15 vote will serve as the final regional election conducted under the majoritarian system before the proportional model takes full effect.

The law also introduces strict criteria for future candidates. Contenders for the post of Bashkan must prove at least a 10-year residency within the autonomous region and demonstrate certified proficiency in the Romanian language.

Parliament's ruling majority rejected opposition amendments that sought to remove the Romanian language requirement and delay the vote pending a Venice Commission review. In response, the Presidium of Gagauzia's People's Assembly adopted a formal declaration on Wednesday contesting the unilateral overhaul of the regional voting rules.

**Key milestones on the electoral calendar**

The formal electoral period opens on August 28, allowing political coalitions to submit registration paperwork to the central CEC headquarters in Chișinău through October 6.

Regional authorities must establish Gagauzia's Central Electoral Council by September 16, followed by the formation of first-tier local electoral councils by September 26. Candidate registrations will close on October 6, paving the way for the official campaign kickoff on October 16 ahead of the November 15 vote.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**