CEC Proposes Changes to the Electoral Code

Children over 15 will be able to participate in election campaigns as volunteers, the deadline for submitting signature sheets may be extended, and it is proposed to introduce the concept of a “camouflaged electoral bloc”. This is only a part of the amendments to the Electoral Code, which the Central Election Commission (CEC) has sent to the authorities for approval, reports noi.md with reference to agora.md. In April this year, the CEC adopted a resolution on proposing amendments to the Electoral Code and the Law on Political Parties. One of the amendments concerns an article that prohibits Moldovan citizens under 18 years of age who are under guardianship from financing or materially supporting electoral campaign initiative groups. However, an exception to this rule could be made for persons who have reached the age of 15 and “involved in providing volunteer services to an electoral contestant in accordance with the law”. These possible amendments caused a wave of discontent in social networks. Vasile Costiuc, leader of the Democracy at Home party, said that “the PAS authorities are changing the law to involve minors from the age of 15 in the election campaign”. And MAN party member Victor Pruteanu called this amendment “absurd”, as “minors should not be involved in political campaigns”. In response to the criticism, the CEC explained that 15-year-olds, in accordance with the labor law and with parental consent, can be employed. Therefore, proposals were made to allow them to volunteer for the benefit of political parties or electoral contestants. The Commission also noted that there are different interpretations of “young person” and “minor” in the legislation, as well as different understandings of their right to participate in political and electoral processes. In addition, political parties are obliged to use public funding to engage young people in politics. To provide clearer regulation and avoid different interpretations, the CEC proposed to allow 15-year-olds, who by law can work with parental consent, to volunteer in election campaigns. The CEC rejects biased interpretations and unfounded accusations spread in the public space by some politicians.