Moldovan official journal roundup for 17 August

Chisinau, 17 August /MOLDPRES/- The promulgation decree and Law No 113 on amending some legislative acts, meant to cancel mixed electoral system and return to the proportional electoral system on party lists were published today in the Official Journal of Moldova.

The amendments to the Electoral Code were approved on 15 August during an extraordinary session of parliament and were promulgated yesterday by the head of state, Igor Dodon.

Following the amendments to the legislation, it was decided that the integrity certificates will be excluded, being replaced by self-declarations on absence of legal / judicial restrictions to run or hold public functions, the absence of the final documents on regime of declaring wealth and personal interests, incompatibilities.

The provision regarding electoral agitation was also excluded. Thus, on election day and on the day before elections, no electoral agitation is allowed. This provision does not refer to information that has already been posted on the internet or on posters previously displayed.

The prohibitions on diaspora voting method were excluded from the legislation. Moldovan citizens from abroad will be able to vote based on their passport, identity card and military booklet in the case of parliamentary, presidential elections and the Republican referendum.

Parliament also amended the minimum representation threshold, representing 5% for a party, 7% - for an electoral bloc, 2% - for an independent candidate.

At the same time, the lists of candidates for the parliamentary and local elections will be made, respecting the minimum representation quota of 40% for both genders, at least four candidates at every ten seats.

This law comes into force on its publication in the Official Journal of the Republic of Moldova. The government, within three months of its publication, will submit to Parliament proposals to bring the legislation in line with this law. Also, the Central Election Commission will adopt normative acts within its competence to ensure the implementation of this law.