Moldovan parliament simplifies presidential election procedure

October 31, 2009

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On Friday, the Moldovan Parliament [of 101] introduced changes into the incumbent presidential electoral legislation in the second, final reading by the vote of all the 53 deputies of the majority Alliance for European Integration.

The amendments stipulate that election may be held even if only one candidate has been registered. A second round of elections is not necessary.

Previously, the law stipulated that the presidential election procedure (two attempts) must be completed within 2 months as from the date of the resignation of previous president. Now the amendments in question stipulate that the election procedure must be started within the said 2 months, but say nothing about when the procedure must be completed.

Now the deadline for applying for registration as candidate shall expire 3 days before the voting date, not 5 as previously.

Parliament’s presidential election session shall be considered as valid if attended by three-fifths of the 101-member legislature, i.e. when 61 MPs take part. A repeated voting (second attempt) takes place in maximum 30 days after the first unhappy attempt. If even in the second attempt the lawmakers fail to elect head of state, acting president dissolved the legislature.

During one year, the legislative forum may be dissolved only once. A repeated dissolution of parliament is only possible not earlier than 365 days from the moment of the last disbandment.

The opposition Communist faction [of 48] stoop up resolutely against the amendments, which they believe go contrary to the Constitution. The Communists stated they are going to challenge the changes with the Constitutional Court.

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