Legal committee rounds up debates on draft law for changing electoral system in Moldova

Chisinau, 19 July /MOLDPRES/ – The Committee of legal entities, appointments and immunities finishes the debates on the draft law stipulating the change of the electoral system at its today meeting, the parliament's communication and public relations department has reported.

The draft law with amendments made up to the moment, as recommended by the Venice Commission, is published on the website of the Parliament in the Romanian and English languages.

In the actual draft, it is stipulated the formation of constituencies by a special commission established by the Government, including representatives of civil society, parliamentary and extra-parliamentary parties, representatives of national minorities, academia, experts etc. The info on electoral constituencies will be published in the Official Journal one year prior the election. Also, as to ensure the good representation of the voters from abroad and from the left bank of the Dniester in the Parliament, one of the criteria for the formation of the constituencies is to include the one of geographical distribution too. We remind that the formation of constituencies by an independent authority is one of the recommendations of the Venice Commission.

The solution required by Venice Commission experts for transparent funding for candidates and for their integrity is found in the project through the certificate of integrity, mandatory for the candidate's registration. It is to recall that national legislation provides for sanctions, including criminal ones, for forgery in statements and for incomplete wealth and integrity statements. Similarly, it is proposed to reduce the financial contribution ceiling of the candidates to 50 average salaries for individuals and 100 average salaries for legal bodies. At present, the individuals can donate 200 average salaries, and legal ones – 400.

Among the amendments introduced in the draft for the second reading, there are more stimulating measures to ensure gender equality. Thus, for the promotion of women in politics, according to the international commitments of the Republic of Moldova and the recommendations of the Venice Commission, the parties, preserving the existing quota of 40 per cent and for the uninominal constituencies, will benefit an increase of at least 10 per cent from budget funds, a coefficient, which will increase with each woman candidate in parliament. It is also proposed to reduce twice the number of signatures required to register a candidate referred to a candidate.

The draft law for amending and completing some legislative acts was adopted in the first reading with the vote of 74 MPs. Until present, there have been organized seven public debates on parliamentary platform with participation of representatives of parliamentary and extra-parliamentary parties, civil society, experts, lawyers and public institutions involved into polls’ organization.