Read COD’s official statement on the Moldova Parliamentary Elections

Official Statement of the Committee for Open Democracy Observation Mission

On September 28, 2025, Moldovan Parliamentary Elections

COD Moldova 2025 statement.pdf

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Introduction

The Committee for Open Democracy (COD) deployed an international election observation mission to the Republic of Moldova for the parliamentary elections held on 28 September 2025. Our delegation was led by Dr. Ulana Suprun, former Minister of Health of Ukraine, together with Walburga Habsburg Douglas, Board Member of the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation. The mission included observers from four different countries and was deployed across multiple cities and regions of Moldova.

COD has a long tradition of observing elections around the world and is committed to the principles of impartial, independent, and professional observation, including 27 observation mission in 9 countries since its founding as an American non-profit in 2010.  Our purpose is to assess the electoral process against Moldova’s national legislation as well as international standards for democratic elections, including commitments under the OSCE and the Council of Europe.

Deployment and Coverage

Our observers were present in Chişinău and a range of other municipalities, including both urban and rural areas. Teams visited polling stations throughout election day, monitoring the opening, voting, closing, and counting procedures. Observers engaged with polling staff, party representatives, and voters to gain a broad perspective on the administration of the election.

Pre-Election Environment

The pre-election environment in Moldova was highly competitive and marked by a sharp division between political forces advocating closer integration with the European Union and those favoring stronger alignment with the Russian Federation. This division, while reflective of genuine political debate, was also accompanied by disinformation campaigns, biased media coverage, and widespread voter cynicism toward political elites.

Campaigning was vigorous, with candidates and parties actively reaching out to citizens. Nevertheless, our mission received reports of intimidation, and allegations of vote buying in certain localities. The campaign finance environment remained insufficiently transparent, and disparities in resources created an uneven playing field. In particular the influx of massive sums of foreign money from Russia attempted to influence the outcome of the election. The outside intervention of the Russian Federation in the internal elections of Moldova represents a clear and present danger to the country’s independence and national security. The removal of two openly Russian funded political parties by the Central Election Commission shortly before Election Day, is within the rights and responsibilities of the commission under Moldovan law and European practice.

Election Day Observations

On election day, COD observers generally found that the process was conducted in an orderly manner, with polling stations opening on time and adequately equipped to handle voters. Turnout was 52 percent which was an increase of 4 percent from 2021. Election officials demonstrated professionalism and familiarity with procedures. Voters were able to cast their ballots freely, and the secrecy of the vote was respected in most cases. Gender balance within the election commissions was exhibited and the majority of stations visited had majority female commissions. In addition, Moldova’s robust turnout among the diaspora in other countries remains a model for other countries in the region to replicate. A total of 17 percent of all votes came from abroad, an impressive statistic especially given multiple bomb threats called in to voting stations abroad throughout the day.

However, observers noted several recurring issues:

• Voter lists contained inaccuracies, leading to confusion or frustration among some citizens. In particular some Moldovan citizens living in occupied Transdnistria experienced confusion in determining their voting stations.

• Family voting and instances of group voting were observed in certain rural polling stations, reflecting both cultural practices and insufficient enforcement of individual voting rights.

• Access for persons with disabilities remained inconsistent, with many polling stations located in facilities lacking ramps or elevators.

Counting and Tabulation

The closing and counting procedures observed by COD teams were transparent and consistent with the law, though in some cases the process was slow due to inadequate lighting conditions. While results protocols were posted publicly, observers noted that the physical transmission of results to district election commissions was not always timely, raising concerns about efficiency and security. The Moldovan Central Election Commission provided the public with timely online results updated by the minute to give voters confidence in the transparency of the vote count.

Official results show 5 parties and blocs winning representation in the new parliament, with the ruling PAS party winning a majority.

Role of Media and Disinformation

The media environment during these elections was pluralistic but heavily polarized. Several outlets openly supported specific political parties, reducing the space for objective journalism. Disinformation—particularly narratives seeking to discredit the electoral process or frame Moldova’s geopolitical orientation—circulated widely on social media platforms. This posed a challenge for voters attempting to make informed decisions. Telegram and social media channels favoring Russian candidates had to be removed due to the influence of foreign money in the electoral process. The removal of foreign media influences within the context of Moldova’s sovereignty as a European country is within its legal rights and prerogative.

Overall Assessment

Based on our observation, the parliamentary elections in Moldova were competitive and generally well-administered, allowing citizens to express their political will. At the same time, significant challenges remain:

• Attempts by outside countries, Russia in particular, to influence the electoral process and undermine Moldova’s sovereignty.

• Unequal access to resources and media for political contestants;

• The influence of disinformation on the integrity of public debate.

Recommendations

The Committee for Open Democracy respectfully offers the following recommendations:

1. Promote Inclusive Access: Polling stations should be relocated or retrofitted to guarantee access for persons with disabilities and elderly voters.

2. Enhance Transparency in Campaign Finance: Clearer reporting rules and stronger enforcement mechanisms are needed to create a level playing field.

3. Address Disinformation: Electoral and media regulators should take further steps to counter foreign disinformation while protecting freedom of expression.

Conclusion

The Committee for Open Democracy commends the citizens of Moldova for their strong participation in this important election, which will help determine the country’s democratic future and geopolitical orientation. While challenges remain, the overall conduct of election day demonstrated the resilience of Moldova’s democratic institutions and the commitment of its people to free and fair elections. Importantly, Moldova passed another important test on its path to future European integration.

COD will continue to monitor post-election developments, including the handling of complaints and appeals, and will issue further recommendations as necessary.

Signed on behalf of the Committee for Open Democracy Dr. Ulana Suprun, Head of Delegation Walburga Habsburg Douglas, Senior Delegate

Background on COD Experience: The Committee for Open Democracy (COD) has observed 27 international elections in 9 countries over 15 years. Founded by former staff of the International Republican Institute (IRI), COD has worked extensively in Eastern Europe and the Balkans since its creation in 2010. COD is an American 501c3 registered nonprofit under federal tax code, headquartered in the state of Florida and with a satellite office in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Countries in which COD has previously been accredited to observe elections including Moldova (for the 2010 and 2014 parliamentary elections), Ukraine (every nationwide election since 2010), Albania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovenia.  The organization has a network of over 400 veteran election observers from more than 21 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Poland, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Greece, Cyprus, Sweden, and Spain. COD is a signatory to and adheres to international best practices and the United Nations Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. COD raises money in the United States for observation missions and because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, COD also raised money from the private sector for humanitarian and medical aid in Ukraine through the Help Ukraine Operation Palyanytsya (HUOP) project.