Starting in 2024, Moldova has expanded its legal framework to criminalize electoral bribery on both sides of the transaction. For the first time, voters who accept bribes in exchange for their votes will face penalties, marking a significant shift from previous legislation, which punished only those who offered bribes, typically candidates or intermediaries.
Mihaela Duca, an expert with the Promo-LEX Association, announced the change during an interview on RLIVE TV. She emphasized that the update responds to increasingly sophisticated forms of vote-buying that extend well beyond election day.
“Investigations and journalistic reports show that vote-buying remains widespread—not only during elections, but also before and after,” Duca said. “It’s no longer just about envelopes of cash. Bribes now appear as social aid, pension top-ups, jobs, financial assistance from abroad, or so-called philanthropic donations.”
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Duca noted that many perpetrators promise rewards in advance and deliver them discreetly after elections. In some cases, they use unregulated financial apps to complete transactions, making it difficult for authorities to trace and investigate.
“We’ve seen money transferred through mobile applications not overseen by Moldovan authorities. Without access to those platforms, it’s extremely hard to gather evidence and hold those responsible accountable,” she added.
The interview was part of the “Vote Freely and Report Electoral Corruption!” campaign, organized by Promo-LEX under the project “Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Moldova.” The initiative is supported by UNDP Moldova and funded by Norway, Canada, Sweden, and Denmark.
Disclaimer: The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Promo-LEX, the United Nations (including UNDP), its member states, or the project’s donors.