Moldovan Central Electoral Commission, People’s Assembly of Gagauzia seek solutions for organizing elections in region

Representatives of the People’s Assembly (local parliament) of Gagauzia and of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) today met in Chisinau to discuss resolving administrative and regulatory aspects related to organizing elections for the new composition of the People’s Assembly.

According to the CEC, the meeting was attended by the acting president of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, Nicolae Ormanji, deputies Vladimir Cissa and Alexandr Diulgher, as well as the CEC deputy president, Pavel Postica.

The discussions focused on identifying ways to overcome uncertainties regarding the regulatory framework applicable to the regional elections. The parties emphasized that, in the interest of the approximately 130,000 voters in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, the situation must be clarified as soon as possible.

The representatives of the two institutions expressed their willingness to continue the dialogue, in order to guarantee the exercise of the right to vote in conditions that comply with national electoral legislation, while also taking into account the specifics of regional normative acts.

The participants in the meeting discussed the creation of an inter-institutional working group as a primary option, with the mandate to analyze possible discrepancies between the provisions of the Electoral Code and the rules in the autonomous region, with a view to harmonizing them. The initiative is to be further examined by both sides, including through the involvement of other relevant stakeholders.

The elections for the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia were scheduled for March 22, this year, but were canceled after the Supreme Court of Justice suspended, on January 20, more decisions concerning the organization of the elections.