Moldova now has 112 fully accessible polling stations for people with special needs and 567 partially accessible ones, according to an evaluation by the INFONET Alliance, carried out at the request of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) with support from Moldova’s development partners.
Out of 1,967 polling station buildings assessed, 1,295 (65.6%) remain inaccessible.
The evaluation shows steady progress: accessibility improves year by year, but authorities must still take further action to ensure full inclusion for people with disabilities. In 2022, evaluators identified only 18 fully accessible and 551 partially accessible polling stations out of 1,917 assessed. By 2025, the number of fully accessible stations increased more than sixfold, from 18 to 112.
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“Ensuring an inclusive electoral process remains a priority for the Central Electoral Commission. When we speak about elections, we refer not only to the free and secret vote but also to guaranteeing equal treatment for all voters. It is essential to note that polling stations are typically located in publicly owned buildings, and this audit report should serve as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in selecting these premises. The evaluation is not merely a statistical tool but an indicator from which we build our strategies as Moldova’s main electoral authority,” said Dana Munteanu, Secretary of the Central Electoral Commission.
The CEC began evaluating polling stations in 2019 and completed the first stage in 2022. Based on the findings, the UNDP will help build at least 24 access ramps in the coming period.
The CEC also equips polling stations with special voting booths, Braille ballots, templates, lamps, magnifiers, and other tools to assist voters with disabilities. Citizens who cannot travel can request a mobile ballot box at home.