New Electoral Code published in Moldova's Official Journal

Chisinau, 23 December /MOLDPRES/ - The new Electoral Code of Moldova was published in the Official Journal (Monitorul Oficial) today.

Under the document, in emergency situations, such as pandemic, emergency state, in some electoral circumstances, the elections will be able to be held during two days (Saturday and Sunday), through derogation from the general rule. This is to be established under a decision of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) 25 days before the polls at the latest. At the same time, to facilitate voters’ access to the electoral process, the citizens will be given right to vote both based on the identity card or the provisional identity card and the passport, no matter the type of the ballot.

The document also establishes clear-cut principles on the coverage of the elections by media outlets. The mass media institutions will be obliged to observe the principles of equity, balance and impartiality, in the context of the publicizing of the electoral campaign. Otherwise, they run the risk of being gradually sanctioned by the Audiovisual Council.   

The new code will enter into force on 1 January 2023, except for the provisions on the regional elections, which will enter into force on 1 January 2024. At the same time, the government, in a three-month period, will submit to parliament proposals on the adjusting of the legislation to the new Electoral Code, and CEC, in a six-month term, will adopt the normative acts necessary for the organization and holding of elections.       

The presidential decree on the document’s promulgation was published in the today’s issue of the Official Journal too.  

Source: monitorul.gov.md