Moldovan Central Electoral Commission says decision of Ungheni Court on elections in Bolduresti can be enforced only after it becomes final

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) informs it has taken note of the ruling issued by the Ungheni Court regarding the new local elections in Bolduresti commune, central Nisporeni district.

In a statement, the CEC says that, although it has been informed of the court's decision, it cannot be enforced until it becomes final.

On 25 June, the Ungheni Court annulled the decision of the Electoral Council of the Bolduresti Electoral District regarding the confirmation of the second round of the new local elections from June 1, 2025, thus invalidating the mandate of the mayor of Bolduresti commune, won by Nicanor Ciochina, a candidate under criminal investigation in a manslaughter and hit-and-run case.

The decision was issued following a request filed by independent candidate Sergiu Bulicanu, who contested the lawfulness of the electoral process and its outcome. The court partially admitted the request and ordered the cancellation of the Bolduresti Electoral District Council's decisions No. 23/5 from June 10, 2025, regarding both the examination of Bulicanu's contestation and the validation of the second round of voting and confirmation of the mayor’s mandate.

Nicanor Ciochina was declared the winner following a recount of votes conducted on June 7, with only one vote difference from his opponent. The election’s result was contested by Bulicanu, who reported irregularities in the electoral process.

Ciochina, previously appointed interim mayor by the local council, is involved in a high-impact public criminal case. On February 20, 2024, he fatally hit a 14-year-old teenager on a village road and fled the scene. To cover his tracks, he changed the license plates of the vehicle and staged another accident. Although he initially did not admit his guilt, Ciochina was placed under house arrest in September 2024, and in early 2025, he was placed under judicial control.