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Given the examination of the draft of the new Election Code that is to be voted in the second reading, the Promo -LEX Association urges the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova to consider the recommendations outlined in the joint Opinion of the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR.

It should be noted that many of the recommendations previously submitted to the authorities by the Promo-LEX Association are also found in the Opinion of the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR.

Thus, we reiterate some important aspects of the Opinion, which should consolidate the Parliament’s efforts to improve the draft of the new Election Code. Therefore, the new Election Code should:

• explain the term “objective reasons” that can determine the organization of elections in two days;
• improve the mechanism that regulates the establishment of the CEC, ensuring the institution’s impartiality and political neutrality;
• revise the conditions for selection and appointment, as well as dismissal of CEC members, expressly mentioning these conditions in the law;
• provide details on the procedures for the selection and appointment of CECE II presidents, as well as the period of their office, which will guarantee an activity that is free from any political influence;
• expressly regulate the electoral processes in ATU Gagauzia;
• ensure equal opportunities to participate in elections, by making mandatory the collection of supporters’ signatures by both independent candidates and political parties, taking into account their representativeness;
• revise the eligibility conditions of candidates for the position of the president of the country and mayor, so that they comply with international standards;
• revise the provision regarding the obligation of the president of the country and the mayors to compensate the expenses of organizing the elections in case of their resignation at the beginning of the mandate;
• identify a mechanism to verify compliance with the donation ceilings in relation to the donors’ annual revenues, especially in the case of donors from abroad;
• review the exclusive responsibility of the appellants (voters and electoral competitors) to substantiate their claims;
• maintain the authority of the courts to confirm/deny the legality of local elections, etc.

In addition to the aspects mentioned above, we request the Parliament to examine other recommendations previously presented by the Promo-LEX Association in public consultations.

Finally, in solidarity with the Opinion expressed by the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR, we recommend that all political forces represented in the Parliament come to a consensus and display constructive commitment in the adoption of the new Election Code.