Information campaign on new mixed electoral system launched in Moldova

Chisinau, 17 April /MOLDPRES/ - The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) today launched a campaign for informing and educating citizens titled, Democrația contează (Democracy Matters). Within the campaign, people will be familiarized with the new mixed electoral system.   

At a news conference, CEC head has Alina Russu said that the action was aimed at enhancing citizens’ interest in electoral processes and raising the level of civic activism. “The campaign is carried out in the context of the changes made to the electoral legislation last year and of the need to inform citizens about the mixed electoral system, due to be used at the parliamentary polls in 2018. The communication strategy puts special emphasis on the direct informing of voters, including of those from the Diaspora. The action will be held throughout this year,” Russu noted.      

The information campaign regards such subjects as the new amendments to the Electoral Code, new electoral procedures, importance of participation in the voting, role of electoral civil servants, local leaders and Diaspora, etc. Within the campaign, meetings will take place with representatives of local public administrations, de-concerted services, as well as with voters, in order to explain the mechanism of the next parliamentary elections.   

“Meetings will be organized in at least 16 electoral districts in all, with more than 8,000 participants from all over Moldova invited. A string of informative materials will be distributed at the meetings. Also, a string of activities for young voters will be organized: electoral trainings and topic-related lessons at Moldovan education institutions. Also, in April, informative folders on the new electoral system, procedure of voting abroad, etc. will be distributed to citizens coming to Moldova and leaving the country at all border crossing points. The campaign includes also a programme of grants for public associations. Thus, 120,000 dollars will be provided to 12 NGOs, which will organize campaigns of informing and civic education,” the CEC leadership said.     

Also, 15 video spots are planned to be made, of which five motivational ones.

The action is carried out within a project titled, Enhancing Democracy in Moldova through Inclusive and Transparent Elections. The action is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Moldova, with the financial support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Embassy of the United Kingdom in Chisinau, through the Fund for Good Governance and of the Embassy of the Netherlands through the Matra Programme.    

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Raileanu)