The training session addressed key topics such as the legal framework for political financing, methods for investigating electoral violations, and explored the current practices related to electoral corruption and vote buying. During the training, participants were introduced to the newly developed Guide on the investigation of offences related to the illegal financing of political parties and electoral corruption in the Republic of Moldova. The guide, produced by the Council of Europe’s consultant, is intended to serve as a practical and new methodological support for the magistrates.
Organised as a part of a series of capacity-building activities conducted by the Council of Europe since 2020, it aims to equip Moldova’s judiciary and prosecution service with tools and skills on how to detect, investigate, and prosecute electoral fraud, particularly through enhancing participants’ capacity to combat illicit political/electoral financing and vote-buying.
Participants had the possibility to exchange and share their experience between peers as well as with representatives of the Central Electoral Commission. The session encouraged active participation, peer exchange, and building a network dedicated to safeguarding electoral justice and democratic integrity in the Republic of Moldova.
In his opening remarks, Franck Daeschler, coordinator, PACE Division of Parliamentary and Electoral Cooperation Division, emphasised that electoral integrity is vital for a healthy democracy, ensuring that citizens' voices are heard and their votes counted fairly. He stressed that challenges like illicit financing, vote-buying, and foreign interference undermine this foundation, as seen in Moldova's 2024 Presidential and 2025 Parliamentary elections. Mr. Daeschler reaffirmed the Council of Europe’s support for Moldova's democratic efforts by providing assistance and frameworks to address electoral corruption.
The activity was carried out in partnership with the National Institute of Justice and the Central Electoral Commission 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.
