The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), through Moldova’s diplomatic missions, is coordinating the organization of elections at polling stations abroad, with the consent of host states. Victor Martin, Head of the MFA’s Consular Affairs Directorate, explained the process, challenges, and most common questions from citizens abroad during an interview on RLIVE TV.
Martin said the MFA set up polling stations in clusters to ensure that, in locations with many voters, citizens can be redirected if ballot papers run low.
“The MFA, together with colleagues from diplomatic missions, analyzed possible locations for polling stations so that they remain close to each other. If ballot papers run low, voters can be redirected to other stations nearby,” Martin stated.
He explained that the president and secretary of each polling station abroad are MFA representatives or nominees of the ministry. Each parliamentary party may appoint one representative, while the remaining members of the electoral bureau are Moldovan citizens living in the host country.
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Martin stressed that diplomats and electoral staff are ready for any scenario, while host states confirmed their readiness to provide support. He recalled that during past elections, false bomb threats targeted polling stations abroad, but host state law enforcement intervened quickly.
“Our colleagues from diplomatic missions and our diaspora members in the electoral bureau teams are trained, follow the required protocols, and know how to act in different situations. They are ready to handle any incidents that may arise,” Martin noted.
He added that Moldovan citizens abroad most often contact diplomatic staff to ask about the locations of polling stations and the identity documents required for voting.
“The MFA is making every effort to ensure that as many Moldovan citizens abroad as possible can vote. This year, more than 4,000 people are involved to guarantee smooth elections abroad. We invite all our citizens to go on Sunday, September 28, to the nearest polling station and exercise this fundamental right,” Martin emphasized.