Free and Fair Elections Program
Program description:
Through the Free and Fair Elections program, The Eurasia Foundation seeks to increase citizen participation in future elections by creating a valuable mechanism for civil society cooperation with government agencies that are involved in conducting elections. The Eurasia Foundation Moldova Representative Office will strengthen cooperation with the government by offering technical assistance and education (through our NGOs partners) to the Central Election Commission and lower-level commissions on conducting elections. We also create and disseminate educational materials for voters, inform voters about election related activities and invite them to participate with suggestions and opinions.
The EFM team interviewing the Chairwoman of a polling station in Gagauzia
Background: Accomplishments
With technical and financial support from the Eurasia Foundation Moldova Representative Office, the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Coalition 2005) united nearly 200 non-profit organizations. Coalition 2005 served two functions: it monitored the election process and provided much-needed advice and support to government institutions responsible for implementing and overseeing the elections, including the Central Election Commission (CEC) and the Audio-Visual Council. EF specialists assisted in developing monitoring and educational mechanisms which were used for the first time in Moldova, including a parallel vote count, comprehensive media monitoring, and wide-scale voter and civic education programs.
An independent evaluation of the Coalition’s program, commissioned by the Eurasia Foundation, deemed the program extremely effective.
We aim to build on the accomplishments of Coalition 2005 as part of this program, preparing civil society organizations and government agencies for future elections, including local elections in 2007 and national parliamentary elections in 2009.
Recent activities:
In 2006 the Eurasia Foundation in Moldova implemented the "Free and Fair Election of the Governor of Gagauz-Yeri TAU" project together with our local partners - the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT, the League for Defense of Human Rights in Moldova (LADOM) and the Association of Independent Press (API) in partnership with the Independent Journalism Centre. The first round of elections took place on 3 December 2006, with a runoff vote taking place on 17 December.
The goal of the project was to ensure that the outcome of the Gagauz elections reflects the expressed will of an engaged citizenry by enabling civil society organizations to promote a free, fair and democratic election process. The project also worked to raise awareness among citizens and authorities of the importance of holding free and fair elections.
The project promoted and enhanced civic engagement by building trust between government, civil society organizations, media and the citizenry in conducting elections. Project activities included voter education, training of Precinct Election Commission members, long-term and short-term monitoring of the election process, and media monitoring during the campaign.
The project was financially supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida/Asdi) and the National Endowment for Democracy, USA.
Member of polling station commission explaining voting procedures to voters in Gagauzia
Current activities:
The Eurasia Foundation Moldova Representative Office is conducting an assessment of election related issues in Moldova, which will evaluate the adjustment of Moldovan Electoral Code to the standards set out by OSCE; civic participation in elections; public knowledge about elections; professionalism and capacities of members of electoral bodies (the Central Election Commission, DECs, PECs); capacities of civil society organizations and mass-media to conduct election-related activities; and prospects for building a new Coalition of NGOs for Free and Fair elections in 2007 and in 2009.
For more information on the Eurasia Foundation Free and Fair Elections program in Moldova, please contact Andrei Brighidin, Program Manager at:
The Eurasia Foundation
Moldova Representative Office
E-mail: abrighidin@eurasia.md
Address: 49/4 Tighina str.,
3rd floor, Chisinau MD-2001
Tel: (+373-22) 235-343; 548-102 ext.118
Fax:(+373-22) 542-338
For more information about the election process in Moldova, visit the sites of our partners:
This web site is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility of the Eurasia Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.