The Council of Europe (CoE) Project "Improving Electoral Practice in the Republic of Moldova, Phase III, presented the results of the 2-year project implementation during its Steering Committee meeting held on 18.12.2024 with the presence of 35 representatives of partners institutions, civil society and international organisations’ representatives – members and permanent observers of the Project Steering Committee.

At the openings of the event, Falk LANGE, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, reaffirmed the Council of Europe commitment to supporting transparency, inclusiveness and integrity of the electoral processes and elections.

In order to bring the electoral legislation of the Republic of Moldova and the practices of electoral bodies in line with European standards, the Council of Europe has provided expertise in drafting regulations and instructions in the electoral field: on financing the activity of political parties; settlement of electoral disputes by electoral bodies; certification of electoral officials; coverage of electoral campaigns in the media; compensation of expenses from the state budget for the organization and conduct of mayor’s elections and others. said Falk LANGE.

Angelica CARAMAN, Chairperson of the Central Electoral Commission, highlighted that partners’ support has contributed to the achievement of CEC’s strategic objectives generating positive effects in short, medium and long term. It has also enhanced its institutional capacity to carry out  activities in a professional and efficient manner. She mentioned the assistance in the implementation of the postal vote, training of actors involved in the elections: election officials, judges, prosecutors, representatives of law enforcement bodies, and that CEC decisions were upheld by the court.

More than 60 main actions were implemented by the project during the period March 2023 – December 2024 covering the following areas in addition to those already mentioned: developing new strategical programmes for 2024-2026/7 based on the Council of Europe URSO methodology for the Central Electoral Commission and the Training Centre; increasing the use of the electronic means in electoral procedure and processes, including several developed and adjusted modules for the State Automated Information System “Elections”; certification of more than 17.000 electoral officials; improving CEC’s crisis communication towards electoral stakeholders; awareness raising activities targeting first-time voters and young people.

These and other impactful achievements were possible thanks to the excellent cooperation and the relation of trust and confidence built up with the main national partners, the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Moldova, Centre for Continuous Electoral Training, as well as representatives of the Parliament, National Institute of Justice, Audiovisual Council, other public authorities and international organisations, civil society associations such as Promo-LEX, ADEPT, National Youth Council of Moldova and Women’s right organisations.

The Council of Europe will further provide its extensive expertise and present good practices within the newly launched Project 2025-2028 in the field of electoral cooperation, which will be implemented starting 1^st of January 2025 in the framework of the CoE Action Plan 2025-2028 for the Republic of Moldova.

The activity was undertaken by the Council of Europe Project Improving Electoral Practice in the Republic of Moldova, Phase III in cooperation with Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Moldova.