The Central Electoral Commission has formally approved a set of amendments proposed by the Ministry of Justice that introduces harsher criminal and administrative punishment for electoral and political offenses. In the process , CEC has itself proposed a number of amendments, including one that removes the ban on campaigning during election day and the day before.

The proposal was formulated by CEC member Sergiu Gurduza. CEC deputy chair Pavel Postica said he does not see a problem in canceling election silence. The proposal was also supported by CEC secretary Alexandru Berlinschi. As a result, the proposal passed with the vote of 5 out of 8 members attending

CEC chair Angelica Caraman, however, voted against, saying the measure could lead to voters’ opinions being altered on election day.

Other proposals are to standardize the definition of “organized transportation of voters” and to introduce punishments for this in both the Electoral and the Contravention Code. The proposal involves a specific ban on transportation of voters to polling stations on election day, except for cases authorized by CEC.

The Commission also recommend the Ministry of Justice to develop clearer rules for the reports submitted by political parties.