The National Democratic Institute (NDI) concluded its Pre-Election Assessment Mission (PEAM), conducted in advance of the presidential election and a constitutional referendum on European integration to be held on October 20, 2024. According to the preliminary results, with just over six weeks until voting, the NDI delegation found that preparations are well underway, and are administered in a professional and transparent manner by the Central Election Commission (CEC) based on a new Electoral Code that provides a sound legal basis for the presidential election and constitutional referendum. The greatest threat to electoral integrity is foreign malign influence from Russia, including foreign information manipulation and interference.
In a news conference hosted by IPN, NDI delegation leader Pekka Haavisto, Member of the Finnish Parliament and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, said that the NDI deployed its Pre-Election Assessment Mission to Moldova from September 2 to 6, 2024. “The delegation’s purposes were to accurately and impartially assess the legal framework and preparations for elections, to review the environment in which the elections are being conducted, to examine factors that could affect the integrity of the electoral process, to offer practical recommendations to promote more inclusive, transparent and accountable elections, and finally demonstrate the international community’s commitment to credible elections in Moldova,” stated Pekka Haavisto.
According to him, the greatest threat to electoral integrity is foreign malign influence from Russia, including foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), which predominantly involves propagating false information on social media platforms, as well as related illicit financing.
At the same time, the NDI delegation cautioned that efforts to combat foreign malign influences from Russia must not undermine the principles of credible elections, including a free and open exchange of ideas.
NDI Regional Director for Eurasia Eva Busza said there are still some important and practical steps that can be taken to further improve the integrity of the presidential election and the constitutional referendum. In this connection, several priority actions have been shared. First of all, the Government, in cooperation and coordination with the Central Election Commission, needs to lead on informing the public about the threats to the electoral process and efforts to protect the integrity of the elections.
NDI is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization that works in partnership around the world to strengthen and safeguard democratic institutions, processes, norms and values to secure a better quality of life for all. NDI envisions a world where democracy and freedom prevail, with dignity for all. NDI has observed approximately 200 elections in every region in the world, including Moldova’s 2019 parliamentary elections and 2020 presidential election. The Institute has carried out programs in Moldova since 2003.
The delegation was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
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