Preparations for the September 28 parliamentary elections and efforts to counter disinformation were the key topics discussed at the ADEPT Press Club held in Cahul.

The main speakers were Angela Caraman, Chair of the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Moldova, and Igor Boțan, Executive Director of ADEPT. The discussion was moderated by Polina Panainte, ADEPT’s Deputy Director and Secretary of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (CALC), under whose auspices the event was organized.

The dialogue brought together journalists from both the region and Chișinău to analyze how the voting process is being organized, the rules applied to electoral competitors, and the rights of voters. Igor Boțan presented an overview of electoral complaints and challenges, an issue that remains highly relevant in every election cycle.

Participants addressed the rising number of complaints submitted to the CEC, as well as reports from both national and international observation missions. Other issues on the agenda included youth engagement in the electoral process and strategies to combat widespread myths and misinformation about voting.

A special point of interest concerned the accreditation of journalists. Angela Caraman emphasized that the media has the full right to cover both the campaign and election day, without interference from either the authorities or electoral competitors. Accreditation, she clarified, is only required when journalists request official observer status, in line with the Electoral Code.

The CEC Chair also highlighted the institution’s cooperation with state authorities to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election in which every citizen can exercise their right to vote in an informed manner.

The event was organized by ADEPT within the project “Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Moldova”, implemented by UNDP Moldova and funded by Norway, Canada, Sweden, and Denmark.