Moldovan voters to be able to vote only with physical identity documents at local elections on November 1

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has decided that voters in the seven localities where new local elections and a local referendum are to be held on November 1, will not be able to use digital versions of their identity cards generated through the government’s EVO wallet. Only physical identity documents will be accepted for identification at polling stations.

The decision was adopted in the context of cybersecurity incidents targeting the state’s digital public services. According to the CEC, the measure is meant to prevent potential risks associated with the use of digital identification mechanisms.

The Commission said that it stayed in dialogue with the Electronic Governance Agency, in order to use these mechanisms at future elections, after security checks have been completed and the safety of the services has been confirmed.

On November 1, more than 18,000 voters are expected to go to the polls in seven localities. Mayoral elections will be held in five of them: Cairaclia and Novosiolovca in Taraclia district, Costesti in Rascani district, Hasnasenii Mari in Drochia district, and Chirsova in the Autonomous Territorial Unit (UTA) of Gagauzia.

In the village of Tomai, in the UTA Gagauzia, members of a new local council will be elected, while in Delacau, Anenii Noi District, a referendum will be held on the extraction of mineral resources in the built-up area of the locality.

The 12 polling stations will be open starting from 7:00 till 21:00. For the election, 18,251 ballots have been printed in Romanian, Russian, Bulgarian and Gagauz languages. The electoral process will be monitored by 23 national observers accredited by the CEC.

Voters who are unable to travel to the polling station for health reasons or other justified reasons may request to vote using a mobile ballot box. On election day, requests may be approved until 14:00, upon presentation of a medical certificate.