New local elections: CEC announces number of candidates and referendum participants

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has presented data on the registration of candidates and participants in local referendums held as part of the new local elections and consultations scheduled for 17 May 2026.

According to the CEC, the district electoral councils examined the files submitted within the deadline set by law and registered 38 candidates for the position of mayor, 20 electoral competitors for the position of local councilor, and four participants in local referendums.

Of the 38 candidates for mayor, nine are women and 29 are men. At the same time, 25 of the candidates were nominated by political parties, while 13 are running as independents.

Candidates for mayor position have been registered in several localities, including the village of Topala (Cimișlia), Mașcăuți (Criuleni), Plop (Dondușeni), Frumușica (Florești), Costești and Ruseștii Noi (Ialoveni), the towns of Orhei and Taraclia, as well as the commune of Sărătenii Vechi (Telenești).

For the position of local councilor in the village of Copceac, Gagauzia, lists were submitted by four political parties, while 16 candidates are independents. In total, 74 candidates are registered for this position, of whom 46 are men and 28 are women.

With regard to the local referendums, in the commune of Sadîc (Cantemir district) two applications were registered, from Democracy at Home Party and Action and Solidarity Party.

Another two referendum participants were registered in the village of Hăsnășenii Mari (Drochia district): the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova and the Party of Change.

On 17 May 2026, new local elections will be held in the village of Costești and the commune of Ruseștii Noi in Ialoveni district, the village of Mașcăuți, Criuleni district, the commune of Sărătenii Vechi, Telenești district, the town of Taraclia, Taraclia district, the municipality of Orhei, Orhei district, the village of Topala, Cimișlia district, the village of Copceac, Gagauzia, the village of Plop, Dondușeni district, and the commune of Frumușica, Florești district.

On the same day, local referendums will be organized on the dismissal of the mayors of the village of Hăsnășenii Mari, Drochia district and the commune of Sadîc, Cantemir district.