Promo-LEX: Electoral activities underway ahead of official campaign launch
Several parties and potential candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections are currently engaging in promotional electoral activities, despite the official electoral period not beginning until August 29. This was highlighted in a monitoring report prepared by Promo-LEX, which was released on Tuesday, July 22, ahead of the parliamentary election observation mission set to start on September 28, 2025.
The report covers the period from April 17 to July 21, 2025, highlighting key trends during the pre-election period, recent legislative changes, and potential risks that may impact the fairness and transparency of the elections.
According to Promo-LEX, electoral campaigning is permitted only after the official registration of candidates. Any current activities may be classified as political promotional actions if they do not occur within the context of a legal campaign.
The report indicates that parties already active at this stage include PAS, which promotes EU accession, and PSRM, which advocates for "sovereign politics." Additional parties, such as PPMM, PRIM, PPVM, MRM, the electoral bloc Alternativa, and electoral bloc Împreuna, are engaging in online campaigns, hosting voter meetings, organizing protests, and presenting their political programs.
During the observation mission, Promo-LEX will present four interim reports and one final report.
The monitoring is conducted by the central team of Promo-LEX along with 42 long-term observers, including two who will monitor voting in the diaspora. A specialized team is also monitoring hate speech and discrimination in the public sphere.
The report notes an increased risk of political polarization and the emergence of speeches targeting electoral institutions, such as the Central Electoral Commission and the Audiovisual Council. Promo-LEX warns that such actions could undermine public trust in elections.
Additionally, the report provides specific recommendations for authorities and political parties. These include clearly sanctioning the use of administrative resources for electoral purposes, adhering to regulations on electoral promotion, and ensuring a transparent and predictable electoral process.
It is important to note that on April 17, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova set the date for parliamentary elections as September 28, 2025.
On election day, monitoring will be conducted by 400 short-term observers (STOs), supported by another 400 STOs within 200 mobile teams. Promo-LEX will oversee all polling stations in the Transnistrian region and approximately 100 in the diaspora, with a special focus on postal voting.
