Gagauzia elections: Candidate registration and polling rules announced

Gagauzia elections Bashkan election Moldovan electoral rules PSRM candidate registration

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has established the rules and deadlines for opinion polls and exit polls regarding the upcoming local elections on November 1 and the Gagauzia regional elections on November 15, 2026. Research institutions must obtain CEC authorization to conduct these polls, particularly those using representative samples to identify political preferences.

Registration for candidates for the Bashkan (Governor) of Gagauzia begins on September 21, with a deadline of October 6. To qualify, candidates must be at least 35 years old, have resided in Gagauzia for at least 10 years, and demonstrate proficiency in both Gagauz and Romanian languages. Independent candidates must collect signatures from at least 1% of registered voters (minimum 1,500 people), while female candidates require 0.5% (minimum 750 people).

The Bashkan position became vacant following the final conviction of Evghenia Guțul. The Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) is currently conducting consultations to select its candidate. PSRM leader Igor Dodon has criticized the Romanian language requirement as unconstitutional, noting that local deputy Grigore Uzun decided not to run for Bashkan due to this mandate.