The experts of “Promo-LEX” Association consider it is necessary to establish six electoral constituencies abroad, three of which in the EU member states, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, San Marino, the non-EU member states of Southeastern Europe, Turkey, and Israel. Two constituencies should be created in the CIS member states, Ukraine, Georgia, Asia, and Middle East and one constituency should be established in North America, South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, IPN reports.
The experts said that to determine the number of electoral constituencies that should be established abroad, “Promo-LEX” used two indicators. The first indicator was the number of Moldovans abroad. According to the data presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration in 2016, 805 509 Moldovans were abroad at that time. The second indicator is the number of voters who took part in the last national elections, which is 138 723 persons who received ballots in the presidential runoff. The two indicators and the figures mentioned above were divided by the total number of citizens of the Republic of Moldova and the total number of voters. Given that 51 electoral constituencies are to be established, an approximate number of constituencies that should be set up abroad was determined based on the two indicators.
Dividing the number of Moldovans abroad to the total number of Moldovan citizens, it was obtained a quota of 20.29%. Respectively, 20.29% of the total 51 electoral constituencies is about 10 constituencies that should be established abroad according to the first indicator. A similar calculation based on the number of Moldovans with the right to vote abroad, who took part in the presidential elections of 2016, shows that about 4.26% of the voters put on the State Register of Voters cast their ballots. Respectively, 4.26% of the total 51 electoral constituencies is about two constituencies that should be set up abroad according to the second indicator.
According to “Promo-LEX”, when adding 20.29% and 4.26%, it is obtained a total coefficient of 24.55% that should be divided by two, which is the number of indicators used in calculations. The resulting quota of 12.28% is the coefficient that should be used to determine the number of electoral constituencies that should be established abroad, of the total 51. Thus, the Moldovans from the diaspora should be assigned to six single-member constituencies of the 51 (12.28%).
The experts of “Promo-LEX” said Parliament didn’t set exact quotas for the electoral constituencies that are to be established abroad and in the territorial administrative units with a special status. Therefore, the electoral constituencies should be created in accordance with the criteria specified in the Election Code and the general recommendations suggested by the international standards.
