The People’s Assembly of Gagauzia has registered in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova a draft amendment to the Electoral Code that proposes renaming the region’s electoral body as the “Central Electoral Commission of Gagauzia.”
The initiative provides that, within the autonomy of Gagauzia, the electoral body would organize regional elections, including the election of the People’s Assembly, the governor (bashkan), and local referendums. During national electoral processes in the Republic of Moldova, such as presidential or parliamentary elections or nationwide referendums, the institution would function as a second-level constituency electoral council.
According to the proposal, the electoral body in Gagauzia would operate independently from the Central Electoral Commission of Moldova and other state institutions.
Tensions between Chisinau and Comrat have intensified due to disagreements
over electoral legislation. National law refers to the institution as an “electoral council,” while regional regulations use the term “commission.”
On March 17, the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia decided to establish a new electoral body and set election dates for June 21, after the Supreme Court of Justice of Moldova suspended certain decisions regarding its composition, blocking the organization of previously scheduled elections.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice of Moldova referred the issue to the Constitutional Court of Moldova to clarify the powers of Gagauz authorities in organizing elections. The court has not yet announced when it will examine the request and has asked Parliament to submit its position before reviewing the case, according to Speaker Igor Grosu.