1. On the risks of moving to a mixed electoral system in Moldova

Some of the political parties, NGOs and experts consulted during the working visit expressed their concern about similar consequences occurring in Moldova if the proposal for electoral system reform were to be approved. In this context, alternative solutions could be considered to enhance the fairness and transparency of elections and increase accountability. These include the supervision of the voter registry, auditing electoral and campaign financing, and the adoption of measures to further improve internal accountability and democracy within political parties. These types of measures could work within a proportional or a mixed electoral system, and specific recommendations have already been presented in the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR Joint Opinion adopted in March 2013 (CDL-AD(2013)002). Therefore, any electoral system chosen, in particular one that contains single-member constituencies implies the need for clear campaign finance regulation and oversight that guarantee a level playing field for all electoral contestants. Moldova already uses both proportional and majoritarian components to elect representatives in local elections. However, as the last OSCE/ODIHR EOM report to the 2011 local elections in Moldova stated, “Campaign finance oversight mechanisms are insufficiently developed, lacking precision and enforcement. None of the relevant bodies actively undertook measures to address breaches of campaign financing regulations.”[1]

[1] OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission, Republic of Moldova, Local Elections, 5 and 19 June 2011 Final Report, p. 12.