Electoral campaigns in Moldova could face a new set of rules governing online activity. A draft regulation prepared under the Electoral Code and proposed by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) for public consultation introduces specific requirements for online electoral advertising, influencers and content creators, the use of artificial intelligence, and individuals or organizations that finance electoral promotion without being electoral contestants.
The draft proposes adding new concepts to electoral legislation, including “online electoral advertising,” “electoral influencer,” “electoral content creator,” “participant in online electoral communication,” “third party in an electoral campaign,” and “coordinated inauthentic behavior.” The stated aim is to more clearly identify electoral activities carried out in the digital environment and track how they are financed.
One of the key provisions concerns individuals and organizations that promote electoral messages independently of political parties and candidates. Under the draft, a person or organization using financial resources for activities intended to influence voting could be classified as a third party and could face registration, record-keeping and reporting requirements.
The rules would be stricter when an apparently independent actor is actually acting at the request, direction or in coordination with an electoral contestant. In such cases, the activity would no longer be considered independent, and the related expenses could be attributed to the electoral contestant.
The draft also provides for the creation of a Register of Participants in Online Electoral Communication, to be managed by the CEC. It would include people who systematically participate in electoral communication on behalf of, at the request of or in coordination with an electoral contestant, regardless of whether they are paid.
Electoral contestants, referendum participants and initiative groups would also be required to inform the CEC about the online communication channels they use for electoral purposes and the participants in online electoral communication with whom they cooperate.
Another proposed measure is a Public Archive of Online Electoral Advertising, which would be administered by the CEC. It would contain information about electoral advertisements distributed online, including who ordered or financed them, the electoral issue they concern and the period during which they were displayed.
The draft also introduces rules on the use of artificial intelligence and personal data in online campaigns, including targeting and profiling techniques used to distribute electoral advertising.
At the same time, the CEC would expand its capacity to monitor the digital environment. A specialized unit would operate during the electoral period, while the commission would administer the relevant registers and advertising archive, verify compliance with the new requirements and request information from the actors involved.
The proposed framework also includes a rapid alert mechanism allowing the CEC, online platforms and public authorities to exchange information about potential violations of electoral legislation and risks to the integrity of the electoral process.
The document specifies, however, that the CEC would not have the authority to delete, block or restrict access to online content. Such measures would remain within the remit of the competent authorities under the relevant legislation.
The draft also proposes changes to the sanctions regime for violations, including breaches of rules on online advertising transparency, reporting of campaign expenditures, the activities of participants in online electoral communication and the financing regime for third parties.
The proposal follows conclusions issued by Moldova’s Constitutional Court after the parliamentary elections of September 28, 2025. According to its authors, it is intended to strengthen the legal framework governing online electoral advertising, campaign financing and the involvement of third parties. The document also refers to European standards on political advertising, digital services, artificial intelligence and data protection.
The CEC has already identified online political advertising, influencers, marketing agencies and third-party actors as emerging challenges for monitoring political finance and electoral campaigns. (moneyinpolitics.cec.md)