CALC Statement on the Assessment of the Parliamentary Election of 28 September 2025

CALC: “Partially Free, Partially Fair” — Observers Report External Interference and Waves of Disinformation

The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (CALC), a network of non-governmental organizations with over two decades of experience in monitoring electoral processes in the Republic of Moldova, finds that the parliamentary elections of 28 September 2025 were “partially free and partially fair.” Based on the monitoring carried out by its member organizations, the Coalition notes an electoral climate strongly marked by polarization, attempts at external influence, and disinformation campaigns — elements consistent with patterns of hybrid warfare — which affected the fairness of the process.

Observers also highlight the professionalism of the Central Electoral Commission and the involvement of authorities in combating non-transparent financing and electoral corruption. Despite external pressures and attempts at manipulation, state institutions demonstrated resilience, and the active participation of citizens, both domestically and from the diaspora, helped maintain the integrity of the democratic process.

Legal Framework. The 2025 elections were the first parlamentary elections organized under the new Electoral Code, effective 1 January 2023. Recent legislative changes introduced stricter sanctions for fraud, more effective financial verification mechanisms, and the expansion of postal voting to ten countries. However, the application of these rules was uneven, and some parties encountered administrative difficulties that limited their access to the competition.

Institutional Framework. The Central Electoral Commission, the General Police Inspectorate, and other relevant institutions collaborated more intensively than in previous elections, demonstrating professionalism and mobilization. Nevertheless, CALC notes a lack of consistency in communicating cases of electoral corruption, differential treatment in law enforcement, and non-transparent decisions regarding polling stations in the Transnistrian region — all of which affected public trust.

Electoral Campaign. The campaign was legally conducted but dominated by hate-inciting rhetoric, unrealistic electoral promises, and messages contrary to democratic values. The online environment became the main battlefield, vulnerable to manipulation and false polls. CALC draws attention to the use of administrative resources in favor of certain competitors and the indirect involvement of religious denominations, contrary to the principle of separation of church and state.

Campaign Financing and Electoral Corruption. The elections took place under a stricter legal framework with consolidated rules on financial transparency. The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) imposed sanctions and excluded formations that failed to comply with regulations, and the financial discipline of parties improved noticeably. Nevertheless, electoral corruption evolved into harder-to-document and increasingly sophisticated forms, such as paid mobilization, the use of encrypted applications, non-transparent financial transfers, and illegal data collection.

Media and Online Environment. The Audiovisual Council expanded monitoring to include non-linear platforms, sanctioning disguised political advertising for the first time. However, independent monitoring reported political partisanship, unequal coverage, and reduced visibility for some candidates. The campaign shifted massively online, where extensive disinformation operations, attacks on independent media, and exploitation of security fears took place.

Electoral Inclusion. The expansion of polling stations abroad and the introduction of postal voting facilitated access for citizens outside the country. Conversely, the reduction of polling stations for voters in the Transnistrian region, combined with poor communication, was perceived as disproportionate restriction. Additional measures for persons with disabilities supported voting participation, although physical access difficulties were reported in numerous locations. Compliance with the gender quota led to an increase in female candidates, but their placement in winnable positions reduced the impact. Approximately 37 women will enter the new Parliament, below the legal threshold of 40% and down from the previous legislature (39 women). Youth voter participation was significantly higher compared to previous elections.

Despite visible progress, major challenges remain, including non-transparent campaign financing, the use of administrative resources, amplification of disinformation, and the polarization of political discourse — factors affecting equal opportunities and citizens’ trust in fully free and fair elections. CALC calls on authorities to continue reforms and consistently enforce the law while emphasizing the responsibility of political actors and media institutions to contribute to an electoral climate grounded in respect for the law, fundamental rights, and democratic values.

The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections is a permanent, voluntary entity formed by civil society organizations in the Republic of Moldova. The Coalition’s mission is to contribute to the development of democracy in Moldova by promoting and conducting free and fair elections in accordance with the standards of ODIHR (OSCE), the Council of Europe, and its specialized affiliated institutions.

CALC Statement Parl Elections 2025