SURVEY// Voting outside Moldova in 2024: more polling stations and vote by correspondence

Chisinau, 12 September /MOLDPRES/ - The ADEPT Association for Participatory Democracy today made an analytical note on the evolution of the vote of Moldova’s citizen who live abroad, in the context of the presidential elections and the republican constitutional referendum, due on 20 October 2024. The analysis points out the extension of the opportunities of vote for the Moldovan Diaspora, through the opening of 209 polling stations (preliminarily) and the introduction, for the first time ever, of the vote by correspondence in six countries.        

The survey emphasizes that the extension of the number of polling stations represents a direct response to the constant enhancement of Diaspora’s involvement in the electoral processes from the country. As compared to the parliamentary elections from 2021, the number of polling stations from abroad will increase by 59, better covering the regions where a significant number Moldovan citizens lives and work. The widening of Diaspora’s possibilities to participate through voting in the public affairs is the recognition of the fact that ‘’The Moldovan Diaspora has a vital role in the national political decisions.’’     

A key element of this ballot is the introduction of the vote by correspondence as alternative way of vote for the citizens who live in six countries. The Law No 109 from 2024 envisages that all Moldovan citizens who live in the USA, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland will be able to vote by correspondence by using the mail or courier services. ‘’This measure is meant to support the citizens who cannot come to polling stations, giving them the right to vote surely and accessibly,’’ the authors of the analysis stressed.      

The ADEPT’s analysis tackles the challenges faced in the opening of polling stations in certain countries, especially their number in different states. For instance, the number of Moldovans living in Russia has drastically decreased in the last ten years, from about 600,000 to 77,000. Therefore, it is important that we stress that ‘’The distribution of the polling stations is decided based on clear-cut criteria, including the statistics data and the preliminary registrations, thus providing an efficient and correct allocation of resources,’’ the report reads.    

Another important aspect deals with the distribution of the polling stations, depending on the number of voters, where such states as the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy will benefit from more polling stations, due to the large number of Moldovans who live in these countries. The average number of voters per one polling station is an essential indicator, and it is necessary to avoid the overburdening of the polling stations in certain countries and the underutilization of those from other countries.   

ADEPT underlines that these measures represent part of a coordinated effort of the authorities, in order to ensure the correct and fair participation of the Diaspora in the elections from 2024, taking into account the importance of these ballots.