The system of electoral bodies

(1) For the purposes of the organisation and holding of elections and referendums, the following bodies shall be established:

a) Central Electoral Commission;
b) District Electoral Councils of the second and first level;
c) Precinct Electoral Bureaus;
d) Central Electoral Council of Gagauzia.

(2) In the system of electoral bodies, the Central Electoral Commission is the hierarchical superior electoral body which operates on permanent basis.

(3) The second–level district electoral councils represent the electoral bodies which act on a permanent basis, with the exception of the district electoral councils established for the polling stations opened abroad and for the localities situated on the left bank of Dniester River. The permanent activity of the second-level district electoral councils shall be carried out under the conditions laid down in Article 35 (3).

(4) The first–level district electoral councils and the Precinct Electoral Bureaus represent the electoral bodies which are established and work during the electoral period.

(5) The principle of gender equality shall be observed during the establishment of electoral bodies and in the procedure for appointing members and the election of the Chairperson and the Secretary.

(6) The Central Electoral Council of the Gagauzia is an integral part of the electoral bodies system of the Republic of Moldova and shall exercise the duties of the central electoral body during the regional elections, under the conditions of this Code and local legislative acts. In the event of Elections to the Parliament, Elections for the position of President of the Republic of Moldova, Elections the local public administration authorities and referendums, the Central Electoral Council of the Gagauzia shall perform the duties of the second-level district electoral council in accordance with the provisions of this Code.