Presidential Election, 30 October and 13 November (second round) 2016

Mission at a glance

Head of Mission: Mr. Douglas Wake

11 core team experts from 11 participating States, based in Chisinau

20 long-term observers to be deployed throughout the country

200 short-term observers to be requested from participating States

Mission schedule

3 October:  Opening press conference
6 October:  Arrival of long-term observers

26 October: Arrival of short-term observers
30 October:  Election day
31 October:  Press conference on preliminary findings and conclusions

1 November: Departure of short-term observers

10 November: Arrival of short-term observers

13 November:  Election day (second round)
14 October:  Press conference on preliminary findings and conclusions

15 November: Departure of short-term observers
17 November:  Departure of long-term observers
25 November:  Departure of the core team

Following an invitation from the authorities of Moldova to observe the upcoming presidential election, based on the findings and conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission, and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for this election.

Long-term observation

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Mr. Douglas Wake, consists of 11 international experts based in Chisinau. In addition, 16 long-term observers are deployed throughout the country.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM will assess the presidential election for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

Short-term Observers

The OSCE/ODIHR has requested participating States to second 200 short-term observers (STOs) to observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results.

For the second round of elections, the OSCE/ODIHR has requested participating States to second two hundred (200) STOs to observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results.

STOs will be deployed in multinational teams of two, under a deployment plan prepared by the OSCE/ODIHR EOM. In the interest of a broad and balanced representation among participating States, the OSCE/ODIHR requests that individual participating States nominate only up to 15 per cent of the total number of requested STOs. Please consult the information sheet. STOs need to register on the database at http://stodb.odihr.pl.

Election day

The OSCE/ODIHR has requested 200 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 30 October election. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after the election, ODIHR, together with its parliamentary partners, will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.

Co-operation with Other Partners

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the European Parliament (EP) are planning to deploy observer delegations for these elections.

Previous elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed thirteen elections in Moldova, most recently the 2015 local elections.