Moldova to strengthen integrity of electoral processes by joining International IDEA

Chișinău, October 29, 2026 – The Republic of Moldova will join the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to strengthen its international cooperation in the field of electoral integrity. Parliament approved a draft law  in the first reading.

The accession, proposed by the Ministry of Justice, will provide the Republic of Moldova with access to the organization’s expertise, tools and cooperation platforms. This will strengthen democratic institutions and the integrity of electoral processes in accordance with international and European standards. At the same time, accession will enhance the authorities’ capacity to prevent and manage risks that may affect the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections, including in the context of the country’s European path.

The Republic of Moldova has been cooperating with International IDEA since 2013 through the Central Electoral Commission (CEC). Since 2024, the organization has maintained a permanent presence in the country, supported by the Regional Europe Programme, based in Brussels.

A concrete example of this cooperation was the 2025 parliamentary elections, when the CEC received weekly briefings from International IDEA on political advertising on Meta, Google, TikTok and Telegram platforms. Based on the alerts and evidence provided, the CEC requested clarifications, initiated sanctioning measures in cases of non-compliance and put forward proposals to improve the regulatory framework.

After obtaining membership status, the Republic of Moldova will have a representative on the International IDEA Council, appointed by order of the Minister of Justice at the proposal of the CEC. The CEC will also be designated as the implementing institution in its relations with the Institute. Accession does not grant the Institute decision-making or control powers over national electoral processes.

International IDEA is an international organization founded in 1995 in Sweden, with 35 member states, ten of which are European Union Member States. The Institute’s mission is to promote sustainable democracy and strengthen electoral processes by upholding political pluralism, developing national capacities, facilitating the exchange of experience among electoral stakeholders, and increasing the transparency, accountability and efficiency of elections. To this end, the Institute provides information, advice and support to governments, political parties, electoral commissions, justice-sector institutions and the media. Its activities include research, seminars, workshops and training programmes.

The draft law will be examined by Parliament in the second reading.

Communication and Public Relations Department of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova