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Moldova Parliament adopts new electoral rules for Gagauzia
The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova approved in a first reading a comprehensive amendment to the Electoral Code. The draft introduces clear definitions and procedures for postal voting, including digital voter identification, a dedicated electoral list and a distinct electoral council to organise mail‑in ballots. Moldovan citizens living abroad will be able to vote by mail after prior registration and eligibility verification.
The amendment also restructures the electoral system in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. It replaces the current single‑member constituency model for deputies to the Popular Assembly with a proportional system, while stipulating that the 2026 election will be the last held under the majoritarian method. The Central Electoral Council of Gagauzia will be merged into the unitary electoral administration and will consist of seven to eleven members who must meet the same eligibility criteria as other public officials.
Additional provisions aim to prevent the use of public administrative resources for election campaigns. Public bodies must set conditions for using meeting spaces via administrative acts, and campaign events must be held outside normal working hours to ensure equal access for all candidates. Opposition deputies have criticised the draft, claiming it curtails Gagauzia’s autonomy and exceeds constitutional court rulings. The proposal was passed in the first reading with the support of 52 votes from the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) members.
Entities
Alexandr Stoianoglo · Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia · Parliament of the Republic of Moldova · Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) · Vlad Batrîncea
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Central Electoral Council of Gagauzia will be integrated into the unitary electoral administration and will have between seven and eleven members meeting public office eligibility criteria. politik.md · radiochisinau.md
- [● 3 SOURCES] New rules prohibit the use of public administrative resources for election campaigns, requiring meetings to be held outside official working hours and spaces to be allocated via administrative acts to politik.md · radiochisinau.md
- [● 3 SOURCES] The amendment changes Gagauzia’s electoral system from a majoritarian to a proportional model for the Popular Assembly, with the 2026 election being the last under the majoritarian system. politik.md · radiochisinau.md
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The draft amendment was approved in the first reading with 52 votes from Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) members. radiochisinau.md
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Opposition deputies claim the amendment limits Gagauzia’s autonomy and exceeds constitutional court decisions. radiochisinau.md
- [DISPUTED] Parliament approved in a first reading a draft amendment to the Electoral Code that introduces rules for postal voting. politik.md · radiochisinau.md
- [● 3 SOURCES] The amendment creates a distinct electoral council to manage postal voting. politik.md · radiochisinau.md
- [● 3 SOURCES] Moldovan citizens abroad will be able to vote by mail after registration and eligibility verification. politik.md · radiochisinau.md