The initiative, put forward by a group of MPs, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers this week. Justice Minister Veronica Mihailov-Moraru explained that the need to amend the legislation arose because during the 2024 elections, the CEC identified a number of shortcomings in the use of postal voting. The draft is designed to address these shortcomings.
Among the proposed changes are the extension of the voting period, the possibility of voter identification through biometric means, as well as the inclusion of several countries in the list of states where voting by mail will be possible. It also provides for the establishment of a separate election board to manage the process, as well as clear deadlines for voter identification and changes to the voter lists 30 and 20 days before the election.
Voting by mail was first used in last fall’s presidential elections in the United States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Japan and Australia will be added to the list, according to the decision.
Two main requirements were taken into account when selecting the countries. Namely, that the voting method be widely used in the country concerned and that the postal service be reliable. Similar recommendations are contained in the Venice Commission documents. The countries selected for postal voting meet these conditions.
According to Moldovan legislation, all election costs are borne by the state. According to the Central Electoral Commission’s calculations, about 2 million lei was used from the state budget for voting by mail during the 2024 presidential election. 1,300 people voted in the first round and 1,400 in the second round. Representatives of the non-governmental sector estimated that one vote sent by mail cost the state about 100 euros.
