Report

The parliamentary delegation of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) that participated in the election observation mission for La Francophonie in Moldova from September 22 to 30, 2025, has the honour to present its report. The Honourable Suze Youance, Canadian Senator, participated in this mission.

The delegation was led by Mr. Philippe Courard, Member of Parliament and former minister and secretary of state (Belgium). The Honourable Suze Youance was there representing the APF. The delegation also included political figures and experts from several francophone countries:

• Mr. Biram Sene, election expert and Chief Electoral Officer (Senegal);

• Mr. Mircea Toma, media expert and member of the National Audiovisual Council (Romania);

• Mr. Gilles Badet, legal expert and former Secretary General of the Constitutional Court (Benin);

• Ms. Alexandra Veleva, university professor and former diplomat, mission rapporteur (Bulgaria);

• Mr. David Bongard, senior policy analyst, Representation for Central and Eastern Europe, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF); and

• Ms. Julia Taos Tortel, program specialist, Rule of Law, Human Rights and Justice Division, Political Affairs and Democratic Governance Directorate, OIF.

Context

The OIF deploys election missions for La Francophonie (MEFs) following a request from a concerned state. The OIF carries out this type of mission as part of its efforts to support stronger democracy and peace-building in La Francophonie.

The MEFs’ mandate includes:

• engaging in dialogue with relevant national institutions and political actors to help identify and overcome potential challenges in the election process;

• assessing the election process against the commitments of Chapter IV-B of the Bamako Declaration;

• producing a report that makes recommendations, based on findings and analyses, for improving the management of subsequent elections in the host country, and that makes proposals for OIF support in implementing these recommendations; and

• informing the OIF and its governing bodies about the conditions in which the election took place.

Election observation mission to Moldova

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Moldova asked the OIF to deploy an MEF for the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28, 2025. The MEF was present in Chişinău from September 22 to 30, 2025, where it met with national authorities, institutions responsible for elections (CEC, Audiovisual Council and Constitutional Court), political actors, civil society representatives, independent journalists, accredited francophone diplomatic missions and election observation missions. The objective of the MEF was to contribute to improving election management in Moldova.

Before polling day, meetings and working sessions were held to strengthen the MEF’s understanding of the general conditions of the election preparations and the framework for implementing the overall election process. On polling day, the MEF observed voting in the main centres of the country’s capital, Chişinău.

Conclusions

The MEF’s conclusions, based on interviews and meetings with relevant stakeholders, are as follows:

• ‘’ The parliamentary elections took place in a context of geopolitical and social issues crucial to the future of the Republic of Moldova, particularly related to the country’s accession to the European Union. The election was marked by serious allegations of foreign interference.

• The election campaign was tainted by “hybrid threats,” through disinformation campaigns amplified by and on social networks (TikTok, Telegram, etc.), the spread of false information, allegations of illegal financing and acts of corruption. These problems were exacerbated by the use of artificial intelligence tools and attempted cyber-attacks reported by authorities and relayed by the media. They targeted election bodies, citizens and the highest authorities of the government, undermining confidence in the integrity and legitimacy of public institutions.

• Civil society representatives and journalists told the MEF that religious representatives had taken certain positions that were perceived as partisan and that were likely to influence the voting behaviour of their followers, despite the constitutional separation of powers.

• The legal framework for elections is consistent with the Bamako Declaration principles and international standards. Parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova are mainly governed by the Constitution, the Electoral Code, the Audiovisual Council Act and the Political Parties Act. These texts are complemented by regulations made by the CEC and international instruments on democratic elections, ratified by the country.

• Changes to the legal framework for elections, aimed at combatting corruption, fraud and disinformation, have made it possible to implement certain recommendations made by observers and civil society in light of lessons learned from previous elections, strengthening the integrity and security of the electoral process.

• Some stakeholders mentioned the possible mismatch between the high number of potential voters and the limited number of polling stations for Transnistrians and Moldovans abroad. Members of the opposition challenged this CEC decision, which was based on turnout rates from previous elections and security considerations.

• According to some stakeholders, the election campaign took place largely online, and the MEF observed very little on-the-ground activity in the week leading up to the vote.

• The CEC decided to relocate five of the 12 polling stations for Transnistrians just days before the election to ensure the security of the election process. Opposition parties and national observers noted that these changes could make it hard for voters to access polling stations and could affect their ability to exercise their rights as citizens. The MEF was able to visit two of the five off-site polling stations.

On polling day, the MEF visited polling stations in Chișinău and along the Nistru River, in Rezina and Orhei, and noted the following:

• The vote was orderly and generally followed the procedures laid down in the election legislation.

• The polling stations opened and closed at the legally mandated times.

• The signage for some polling stations was not clear.

• The polling stations were equipped with the required election materials, which were well organized; a mobile ballot box for voters who could not travel to the polling station was available.

• The polling station staff demonstrated a good understanding of procedures and ensured that the voting process was professional and calm.

• Candidates’ representatives and national and international observers were present at the majority of polling stations visited.

• The polling stations closed and the ballots were counted in compliance with the legal procedures.

• Regular communication from the electoral body and real-time publication of disaggregated turnout rates (geographic, sociodemographic and temporal) helped increase the transparency of the election process.

• •A visible law enforcement presence was deployed to ensure the safety of voters from Transnistria, raising concerns about their timely access to polling stations[1] ’’.

On October 16, 2025, the Constitutional Court issued a decision confirming the results of the parliamentary elections held on September 28, 2025, following a complaint filed by the CEC. The court found no violations of the election process that could decisively influence the expression of the voters’ will in the election of Members to Parliament. It therefore confirmed the mandates of the members elected to the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

Travel Expenses

The travel expenses associated with this activity were covered by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

Respectfully submitted,

Marie-France Lalonde, M.P.

Chair, Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie