This year’s gubernatorial election in Gagauzia has been postponed from May 19 until June 30, as the autonomy’s parliament adopted a number of last-minute electoral changes, including a higher turnout threshold.
People’s Assembly president Vladimir Kıssa told reporters the changes require the approval of the incumbent governor Irina Vlah, and since under the old election date the campaign was due to start already tomorrow, the Assembly decided to postpone it to leave more time for the governor to examine and review the changes. Kıssa also said Vlah attended the Assembly’s meeting and was offered to endorse the changes right away so that the postponement could be avoided, but she refused.
The amendment notably raises the voter turnout threshold from 33% to 50% of eligible voters.
Another modification establishes the Gagauz Voter Register as the only source of electoral lists. Vladimir Kıssa explained this is because voter numbers varied significantly in recent elections, from 25,000 to 30,000.
