At the request of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova and civil society as well as building on the recommendations of election observation missions of PACE, OSCE/ODIHR, Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and domestic civil society organisations, the Council of Europe will assist the country with a pre-electoral assistance programme ahead of local elections to be held on 14 June 2015.

In particular, it will organise activities aimed at strengthening the capacities of the civil society organisations in monitoring elections and reporting on violations, increasing the media and technical monitoring capacities of the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual, promoting women as candidates by working with political parties and media monitoring of gender participation in local elections (as candidates and voters). Special attention will be given to voters’ awareness raising with a focus on elderly. Ms Ana Rusu from the Division of Electoral Assistance paid a mission to Chisinau from 14 to 15 May to launch the pre-electoral assistance programme.