Moldovan Central Electoral Commission sets date for elections of governor of Gagauzia; ballot to take place on November 15, on same day as elections for People’s Assembly

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has set November 15, 2026 as the date for the elections for the position of governor (Bashkan) of Gagauzia. On the same day, elections will also be held for the People’s Assembly of the autonomy.

The CEC’s decision was taken after the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, by its decision of August 17, 2026, declared the position of Governor (Bashkan) of Gagauzia vacant. Under the law, elections for the position of Governor (Bashkan) of Gagauzia must be held no later than three months from the date the position becomes vacant.

The Electoral Code stipulates that elections for the position of Governor (Bashkan) of Gagauzia are to be held on the second or third Sunday of November. The date of the ballot 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 the decision within the prescribed period, the decision on the election date is taken by the CEC no later than 75 days before the ballot.

On August 26, 2026, the CEC addressed the People’s Assembly and requested the adoption of a decision setting the election date. At the same time, in order to ensure an efficient and coordinated organization of the electoral process, the CEC recommended that the election for the position of Governor (Bashkan) be held on November 15, concurrently with the elections for the People’s Assembly.

The issue of setting the election date was examined by the People’s Assembly at its meetings of August 17 and 26 and September 1, but no decision was adopted.

Under these circumstances, the CEC set the elections for the position of Governor (Bashkan) of Gagauzia for Sunday, November 15, 2026. On the same day, the residents of the UTA Gagauzia will also elect the 35 deputies of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia.

The mandate of the current composition of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia expired on November 15, 2025, and the autonomy currently has no Governor (Bashkan), after Evghenia Gutul was sentenced to seven years in prison in the Shor case.

The unblocking of the electoral process became possible after the parliament amended the Electoral Code.