Local Elections in Moldova: Mayors, Councils and the First Indicators
In Moldova, voters are watching the mayoral race in Chisinau as preliminary results begin to emerge. According to early data reported by the Central Election Commission (CEC), after reviewing the protocols from a portion of polling stations, Ivan Ceban leads the field with about 56.8 percent of ballots in his favor. This information comes from press updates shared with the public and through official channels. The second place goes to Lilian Karp, the candidate representing the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party, with around 22.6 percent of the votes counted so far.
In this electoral contest, securing more than half of the votes is required to win outright in the first round. If no candidate surpasses the 50 percent threshold, a runoff election will be scheduled. The Central Election Commission has indicated that turnout in the ongoing local elections reached 25.01 percent as of 14.35 local time (15.35 Moscow time), a level that legally legitimizes the voting process according to the current Moldovan framework.
Critics of the process have voiced concerns, with the opposition arguing that the electoral process in Moldova has lost credibility in the eyes of many voters. The discussions around legitimacy and confidence in the system reflect broader debates about governance and accountability in the country.
On the Sunday of the election, Moldovans are choosing local mayors and councilors for terms spanning four years. The law in Moldova defines a valid local election as one with participation by more than a quarter of eligible voters on the election lists. This rule shapes the perceived legitimacy of outcomes and can influence subsequent political dynamics.
Across the country, the electorate is called to elect roughly 900 mayors and heads of rural administrations, along with more than 11 thousand local council deputies. Council seats are decided in a single counting round, while mayoral candidates face a possible second round if no candidate clears the 50 percent mark in the first ballot. The spotlight remains on the mayors of Chisinau and Balti, Moldova’s two largest cities, where a record number of candidates, 28 in Chisinau, seek the top municipal post. The crowded field underscores the high level of political engagement at the local level and the diverse range of viewpoints represented in the capital and beyond.
In related regional commentary, there has been broader discourse on how electoral processes are viewed in neighboring areas. A notable comparison has been drawn by regional observers about how different political systems handle elections and the impressions they leave on citizens, with reflections that resonate beyond Moldova’s borders.