Moldovan Central Electoral Commission approves electoral calendar for organizing elections for office of Gagauzia's governor

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) today approved the electoral calendar for organizing and conducting elections for the office of Governor (Bashkan) of Gagauzia, scheduled for November 15, 2026.

According to the CEC, the document sets out the actions required to organize and conduct the election, the deadlines for carrying them out, as well as the responsibilities of the main entities involved in the electoral process.

“The calendar will be sent, for information and implementation, to the lower-level electoral bodies once they are established, as well as to public authorities and other entities involved in organizing the elections,” the CEC noted.

According to the electoral calendar, the electoral period for the gubernatorial election will start on September 3, this year.

“The Central Electoral Council of Gagauzia is to be established by September 16, while documents for registration as an electoral candidate may be submitted no later than October 6. The electoral campaign will begin on October 16,” the CEC emphasized.

Also today, the CEC established the time and place for receiving documents for the registration of electoral blocs in the elections for the office of Governor of Gagauzia. The documents will be received as of September 4 till October 6 at the CEC headquarters, on working days, according to the following schedule: September 4–October 5, from 09:00 to 16:00 (break: 12:00–13:00); October 6, the final submission day, from 09:00 to 17:00 (break: 12:00–13:00).

The Commission’s decision to set the date for the election of the bashkan was made after the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, through a decision dated August 17, 2026, declared the office of governor vacant. Under the law, elections for this office must be held no later than three months after the vacancy occurs.

The Electoral Code stipulates that elections for this office are held on the second or third Sunday of November. The election date is set by a decision of the People’s Assembly no later than 80 days before election day. If the People’s Assembly does not adopt a decision within the established deadline, the CEC adopts the decision on the election date no later than 75 days before election day.

On November 15, residents of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia will also elect the 35 members of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia. The mandate of the current legislature expired on November 15, 2025, while the autonomy also has no Bashkan, after Evghenia Gutul was sentenced to seven years in prison in the Shor case.

The electoral process was unlocked after the parliament amended the Electoral Code.