In the next 2.5 years, Moldova will have more accurate data from the State Register of Population to generate correct and reliable voters’ lists and will conduct more accessible elections for persons with disabilities and minority groups.

These are several results envisaged in the new project launched today – “Enhancing democracy in Moldova through inclusive and transparent elections”. The approx. 4 mln USD initiative is financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the American People, the Ministry for Development Cooperation of the Netherlands, is implemented by the UNDP and is open for other partners to join.

The project will work closely with the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), Center for Continuous Electoral Training, Agency of Public Services, E-Government Center and other stakeholders being a continuation of a previous UNDP Programme, implemented during 2012-2016.

Thus, the initiative will support the alignment of the national legal provisions with relevant international standards and further improvement of the electoral management processes to make elections more inclusive and transparent for all eligible voters in and outside of the Republic of Moldova.

“Fair, inclusive and accessible elections are the basis of any democracy and is the aim of the Central Electoral Commission. We have made important steps in this direction by modernising considerably the electoral process. But, thanks to the support of our development partners, the reform of the election system in Moldova will continue aiming at aligning the national legislation framework to the international one and offering the possibility to vote, according to the law, to all eligible voters by educating them and introducing innovative solutions in the electoral area”, stated Alina Russu, chairperson of the Central Electoral Commission

Also, creative civic education campaigns will be conducted throughout the country to encourage in particular women and youth to involve in decision making process.

Further adjustment of the State Automated Information System “Elections” (SAISE) that served as an efficient modern tool for the effective administration of elections will be made. The information system, developed with UNDP’s support during 2012-2014, proved fully functioning and presented the elections results in less than three hours at the 2015 general local elections and 2016 presidential elections. This has contributed to the transparency increase of electoral processes, fact that was recognized internationally.

Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative noted that “the new comprehensive approach to improve the State Register of Voters by cooperating with other state institutions outside of the CECs area of responsibility, like the Agency of Public Services and the E-Governance Centre as well as the implementation of an online reporting and disclosure tool for political party financing, just to mention two area of work in the coming years, will set regional standards in the administration and management of electoral processes.”

The new interventions will focus on technical support to improve the State Automated Informational System “Elections” (SAISE) owned by the Central Electoral Commission as well as on implementation of new IT systems such as Register of Civil Acts and Address Register.

Karen Hilliard, USAID Moldova Mission Director, noted: “USAID is glad to join efforts with UNDP, the Moldovan Government, and other donors to improve the reliability and inclusiveness of the State Registry of Voters, operated by the Central Electoral Commission. By supporting the process of upgrading IT Systems and fostering interoperability among registries, data quality and accessibility will be improved ensuring a more accurate and inclusive State Register of Voters.”

The British Embassy through the UK’s Good Governance Fund plans to support the integrity of the electoral process by supporting the development and implementation of an online reporting and disclosure module on political party finances. The module will not only set regional standards in this area, but will be instrumental in increasing the transparency of the electoral process.  Another pillar of the UK’s support represents an extensive national civic education and targeted outreach campaign, particularly aimed at women and young voters, with the aim of making elected political leaders more accountable and responsive.