Women made up majority of voters at last two parliamentary elections; Moldovan Central Electoral Commission notes increase in turnout

Women made up the majority of voters at the last two parliamentary elections, and their share increased slightly from 53.48 per cent in 2021 to 54.33 per cent in 2025. The data are included in a comparative and structured analysis of electoral processes in Moldova from a gender equality perspective for the period 2021–2025.

According to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), the analysis highlights important developments in citizens’ participation in voting, women’s involvement in the administration of the electoral process and the level of representation in the electoral competition.

“The analysis shows that women continue to dominate the structures responsible for administering elections. In district electoral councils, the share of women increased from 64.39 per cent in 2021 to 71.51 per cent in 2025, and at the electoral bureaus of the polling stations they account for over 80 per cent of all electoral officials, compared to 78 per cent in 2021. This trend confirms the major involvement of women in organizing and conducting the electoral process,” the study notes.

Also, the number of trained electoral officials recorded a significant increase, from 6,064 people in 2021 to 12,043 people in 2025. Women account for approximately 83 per cent of all those trained in both years, which reflects a strengthening of institutional capacities and a professionalization of the electoral process.

The participation of Diaspora voters also witnessed a positive trend, supported by the introduction of additional mechanisms, including postal voting, which facilitated the involvement of citizens from abroad in the electoral process.

Overall, the comparative analysis of the 2021 and 2025 parliamentary elections highlights progress in voters’ participation and in strengthening the electoral process, but also underscores the need for continued efforts to ensure balanced gender representation in political life.

The study was carried out with the support of the project, Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Moldova, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Moldova and funded by Norway, Sweden and Denmark.