Promo-LEX recommends the rapid adoption of legislative amendments needed to hold elections in Gagauzia on November 15. At the same time, the non-governmental organization says other proposed electoral regulations should undergo consultations through the parliamentary platform.
The association has submitted several recommendations to Parliament aimed at improving Moldova’s electoral legislation. According to Promo-LEX, the authorities should implement recommendations from national and international election observation missions, address the recommendations of the Venice Commission and fulfill the commitments included in the Roadmap for the Functioning of Democratic Institutions.
Regarding voting rights in Gagauzia, Promo-LEX recommends requiring voters to have registered their domicile or temporary residence in the autonomy at least 12 months before the first round of elections for the People’s Assembly and the position of governor.
For candidates running for the People’s Assembly, the organization recommends reducing the required period of residence in the autonomy from five to three years, based on provisions of the Ulojenie, the region’s supreme law.
For candidates running for governor, Promo-LEX suggests explicitly requiring them to reside in Gagauzia at the time of the election.
Regarding the number of signatures required to register for the governor’s election, Promo-LEX recommends removing the minimum threshold of 1,500 signatures. The NGO notes that, based on the 128,996 registered voters in the autonomy as of July 1, 2026, the current threshold exceeds 1% of the number of eligible voters.
At the national level, Promo-LEX proposes amending the Electoral Code to ensure that rules guaranteeing effective resolution of electoral disputes cannot be changed less than one year before a national election.
The association also calls for a general legal framework governing the participation of third parties in the electoral process, as well as specific provisions guaranteeing the effective and full participation of people with disabilities. These provisions should ensure accessible procedures, polling spaces and electoral materials, allow for appropriate assistance and create suitable conditions for voting in social care and medical institutions.
“Promo-LEX also recommends considering stricter criminal penalties for falsifying voting results, particularly when voting involves people with disabilities, given their vulnerable situation,” the organization said.
The NGO further recommends allowing citizen initiative groups established to launch referendums to promote specific options during referendum campaigns as official referendum participants.
Promo-LEX also calls for the removal of provisions that would allow electoral bodies to examine, on their own initiative, the acts, actions or inactions of lower-level electoral bodies.
The organization supports more detailed regulation of the abuse of administrative resources and recommends adopting the Venice Commission’s definition of “administrative resources” to establish a clearer distinction between the official duties of public officials and political or electoral campaigning.
The NGO also says the obligation to provide venues for meetings with voters should apply to local public authorities, not only central public authorities and public-law entities.
Regarding postal voting, Promo-LEX recommends approving the list of eligible countries early enough to give potential voters sufficient time to receive information and prepare for the process. The association notes that the current rules provide for a minimum period of 60 days.