On October 20, the people of the Republic of Moldova will elect 898 mayors, 1116 district councilors and 10 564 local councilors. In total, 12578 candidates will be elected into office. According to Sergiu Gurduza, a member of the Central Electoral Commission, this is only the number of people who will be elected, yet the number of candidates will obviously be much higher. For example, in 2015, around 60 thousand candidates ran for local office.
“The number of participants in the local elections is very large and it differs markedly from the parliamentary elections number. Even the parliamentary elections held via the mixed parliamentary system, which took place in February this year, were easier than the general local elections,” said Sergiu Gurduza in an interview with RFE/RL Moldovan Service.
According to the CEC member, about one hundred thousand people of the Republic of Moldova will be involved with the election over a span of two months. Around 60 thousand candidates will run for office, while 22-23 thousand electoral officials will ensure the process of conducting and organizing the elections. Several thousand party representatives and observers will also be involved in this process.
Asked about the election organization budget, Sergiu Gurduza said that the amount was allocated by the Budget Law and exceeds one hundred million lei. Additional 14 million lei remained from the previous parliamentary elections of February 24. This amount, according to Sergiu Gurduza, is more than enough to organize new elections in the four constituencies where snap parliamentary elections were called.
Addressing the issue of voter corruption, the CEC member says that legal rules allow small gifts like pens, bags, calendars, CDs and scarves. Their value must not exceed two conventional units (100 lei). Additionally, the legislative has categorically forbidden providing alcoholic beverages, food and cigarettes.
Sergiu Gurduza also spoke about donations to electoral competitors and parties. The legislative reduced the maximum contributions that can be made by individuals and legal entities. The Central Electoral Commission must, by September 1 at the latest, amend its own regulations, in concordance with legislative changes regarding the financing of political parties.