Chisinau, September 29, 2025 - Following an invitation from the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Moldova, the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO) deployed a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM) to observe the Parliamentary Elections of September 28, 2025. The Mission is composed of six Core Team experts, based in Chisinau. No long- or short-term observers were deployed.
Dritan Taulla, Head of Mission, noted: “The September 28 parliamentary elections took place in a polarized environment amid persistent disinformation and misinformation, with foreign influence and other hybrid threats seeking to shape public narratives. Despite extensive legal amendments and more proactive action by the authorities, these hostile operations at times remained ahead of institutional responses. The process was administered efficiently and within deadlines, although on substantive matters the CEC was often divided, with voting patterns at times aligned with contestants’ public positions. Late deregistrations, broad executive and security powers, and continuing risks of illicit financing may have affected public confidence in equal conditions.”
Nino Rizhamadze, Legal and Election Administration Analyst, underlined: “The legal framework provides an adequate basis for democratic elections and is largely in line with international obligations. Since 2023 the Electoral Code has been amended twelve times, including extensive changes shortly before the elections. Adopting major reforms close to election day departs from good practice and may affect legal certainty, yet the measures sought to address pressing integrity risks and reflect the authorities’ duty to prevent corrupt practices. Several provisions remain broad and grant wide discretion to executive and security bodies. Their effect crucially depends on consistent and impartial application, transparent criteria, and effective safeguards against arbitrary or selective enforcement.”
“The CEC administered the elections efficiently and within deadlines, despite limited human resources and the need to revise secondary regulations following recent amendments. Many stakeholders acknowledged the CEC’s professionalism and institutional credibility; however some questioned its impartiality, which intensified after the removal of two electoral contestants. Decisions on technical matters were generally unanimous, while on substantive issues the Commission was often divided, and voting patterns at times aligned with contestants’ public positions.
Candidate registration was generally inclusive and conducted within legal deadlines. However, frequent restrictive actions against some contestants, including in the last stages of the elections, and in some cases based on confidential information and broadly framed provisions, reduced predictability and narrowed the time for effective remedies. Proximity to election day limited the practical exercise of the right to stand and may have affected the voters’ choice. Bringing eligibility and finance checks earlier in the electoral cycle, and strengthening safeguards for transparency, due process, and proportionality, would improve legal certainty and public confidence.” - added Rizhamadze.
Mariam Chubabria, Political Analyst, said: “Electoral contestants were generally able to campaign without undue interference, although a few of them reported restrictions in this regard. Law enforcement maintained a visible presence under the security protocol and to detect election-related offences. From the start of the electoral period, authorities conducted operations targeting suspected vote buying, illicit party financing, and money laundering. In the last week of the campaign, according to the authorities, some 250 searches were carried out and 74 individuals detained in an investigation into an alleged foreign-backed plan to incite mass disorder.”
“The election campaign was active and competitive, but highly polarized, with negative messaging, personal attacks, and reciprocal allegations of corruption, foreign influence, and abuse of office. Disinformation was recurrent, both organic and coordinated, including narratives questioning Moldova’s European path, portraying opponents as foreign-controlled, and spreading misleading claims about economic policy and security. Some contestants engaged in negative campaigning. ENEMO observed political advocacy by entities not registered as contestants, which may have influenced the process.” – concluded Chubabria.
Daniel Kerekes, Political Analyst, observed: “Senior state officials, including ministers, engaged in activities in their official capacities whose timing and content aligned with the ruling party’s campaign. These included public addresses and official communications highlighting government achievements and priorities central to the party’s platform, as well as mobilization messages disseminated through government websites and social media.”
“The campaign finance framework generally aligns with international standards and was recently strengthened to enhance transparency and address illicit funding. While campaign finance regulations were praised by some interlocutors for curbing illicit funds, others raised concerns that they created a significant administrative burden and could potentially restrict electoral competition. The CEC conducted detailed oversight and, until two days before election day, limited sanctions to warnings; the late deregistration of a contestant for extensive violations close to election day highlighted the high stakes of finance compliance. Reports of significant illicit financing persist; law enforcement has taken action, though questions remain about its capacity to address the scale of the problem.” – continued Kerekes.
Maja Milikic, Media Analyst, noted: “Moldova’s media sector is pluralistic in form but fragile in practice. Traditional outlets remained structurally weak, constrained by financial precarity, uneven enforcement of regulations and perceptions of political influence. Regional disparities further limited inclusiveness. The online environment became the main arena for engagement but also the primary channel of manipulation, disinformation and covert financing, emerging as the greatest threat to the integrity of the electoral process. Although legal reforms aligned with European standards and initiatives on ownership transparency were adopted, regulatory gaps in online and print media persist. Taken together, these factors weakened the capacity of the media to fully safeguard democratic accountability.”
“Overall, women were well represented in election management bodies, including in the limited number of polling stations visited by ENEMO. The mission received information about women being more targeted by intimidation when it comes to campaign activists or election management bodies. Sexist language from candidates was also noticed. Television debates were predominantly attended by male candidates.“ – noted Milikic further.
Ana Mihajlovic, Deputy Head of Mission, remarked: “Voting was calm and well organized in the limited number of polling stations observed by the Missions experts. Voter identification procedures were properly followed, ballot boxes were sealed in line with legal provisions, and the secrecy of the vote respected. PEB members performed their duties professionally and efficiently, without undue interference. Media and official statements reported bomb alerts at several diaspora polling stations on Election day, including in Italy, Romania, Spain, Belgium, and the United States; as well as in Rezina and in the Security Zone. Disruptions were temporary; the process continued under security measures.”
“The law guarantees non-partisan observation by domestic and international observers, while contestants could appoint representatives or proxies. The interest from observer organizations was high and the CEC accredited more than 3,500 observers. ENEMO observers did not face any restrictions or issues in performing their observation; however, domestic organizations mentioned instances of obstructions on election day.” - concluded Mihajlovic.
The EOM will continue to follow the electoral process, including final tabulation of results, resolution of existing and future potential complaints, the validation of results by the Constitutional Court, as well as other post-election developments. A final report, including a full assessment, which will depend in part on the conduct of the remaining stages of the election process, as well as recommendations for potential improvements, will be issued within two months from the certification of results.
ENEMO’s International Election Observation Mission for the 2025 Parliamentary Elections in Moldova is financially supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Soros Foundation in Moldova. The contents of the presented statement, as well as other statements and reports are the sole responsibility of ENEMO and do not necessarily reflect the views of the donors.
Preliminary Statement can be dowloaded here.
