Around 45 participants from the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) and the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training (Training Center) participated in a two-day workshop aiming to validating the results of the mid-term assessment of their strategic programs implementation, and identifying the changes and updates needed for the next phase of implementation. The assessment was conducted by the Council of Europe’s international and local consultants using the Council of Europe URSO methodology.

The mid-term evaluation of the CEC’s 2024-2026 strategic program showed a medium to high level of implementation reflected in a high level of transparency in decision-making process; strengthened institutional integrity; increased inclusion due to postal voting implementation and increased number of accessible polling stations (however 66% remain inaccessible for people with special needs); professionalisation of electoral officials.

The Training Center’s 2024-2027 strategic program mid-term evaluation demonstrated a strong implementation rate of around 90% of the planned actions for the period 2024-2025. A positive finding highlighted the digitalisation and certification process of the electoral officials, rapid adaptation of the curriculum and maintenance of operational momentum in a volatile environment, including under conditions of procedural changes and informational pressures.

The challenges that impacted the implementation of assessed strategic programs laid in the limited human resources, significant legal framework amendments, numerous and complex elections needed to be organised, volatility of political, economic and social contexts, hostile and polarized informational space and a high disinformation.

Looking ahead, the participants identified several activities that need to be adjusted to support Republic of Moldova’s plan for EU integration. These include harmonising the national legal framework, digitalising of the electoral processes, strengthening of cyber security, and integrating risk management into authorities’ processes.

The activity is carried out within the Project ”Improving electoral practice in the Republic of Moldova (IEPRM) 2025-2028”, part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025-2028.