Home > 1. The principles of Europe's electoral heritage > MOLDOVA- Joint Recommendations on the Electoral Law and the Electoral Administration
 
 
 
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Artilce 21
 

B. On the timeframe of the reform


According to the Code of Good Practice and its explanatory report, the stability of the law is crucial to credibility of the electoral process, which is itself vital to consolidating democracy. This also applies to the electoral system, due to its decisive role in the election results. Thus care must be taken to avoid not only manipulation to the advantage of the party in power but to avoid even the mere semblance of manipulation. Even when no manipulation is intended, changes will appear to be dictated by immediate party political interests. Additionally, rules that change frequently and that are complicated may confuse voters. The Code of Good Practice notes that the fundamental elements of electoral law, including the electoral system should not be open to amendment less than one year before an election. [1]


[1] CDL-AD(2002)023rev, explanatory report, paras. 2.b, 64, 65.