Gagauzia must participate in the formation of the regional electoral body by nominating candidates, and the Central Electoral Commission should examine and approve these nominations, asserts the President of the Gagauz People’s Assembly, Valentin Gaidarji. In the case of substantiated objections, the CEC would have to request the nomination of other candidates, reports IPN.

According to Gaidarji, this mechanism would represent a compromise between Chisinau and Comrat and would ensure a balance between the interests of the state and the region. “It is precisely this mechanism, in our belief, that needs to be stipulated in the Law on the special status of Gagauzia,” stated the APG president at an event held in Comrat.

He mentioned that the members of the regional electoral body must be professionals, know the Gagauz language, live in the region, and be familiar with the regional legislation and the specifics of autonomy.

Referring to the electoral system for the election of the People’s Assembly, Valentin Gaidarji said that the principal position of the APG is to maintain the majority system, on the basis of which deputies are elected in single-member constituencies.

The position comes in the context where the Presidency has announced that, in discussions with deputies from Comrat, the conduct of elections for APG based on the proportional electoral system was addressed, as part of a uniform electoral system throughout the territory of the Republic of Moldova.