The challenges of requesting, obtaining and issuing the certificate for the right to vote in the national elections

This policy note analyzes the correlation between the provisions of the electoral legislation in relation to the applicability of the certificate for the right to vote, the challenges of the procedure for obtaining the certificate for the right to vote, the dynamics of the use and the usefulness of the certificate, and comes with recommendations regarding the improvement of the procedure for requesting and obtaining the certificate for right to vote in the elections organized and conducted at the national level.

In order to facilitate access to the electoral process, the electoral legislation of the Republic of Moldova provides for the opportunity for persons with the right to vote, who on election day will not be in
the locality where they have domicile and/or valid residence, to request a certificate for the right to vote from the electoral office of the voting section (BESV). With this certificate for the right to vote, the voter can vote in any other polling station in the country.

At first sight, the intention of issuing the certificate for the right to vote is a good one, which corresponds to good practices in electoral matters and ensures on the part of the electoral authority
support and recognition of every citizen's right to vote. On the other hand, for many citizens, the procedure for obtaining this certificate during the last presidential elections became difficult, being put in the situation of traveling hundreds of kilometers to obtain it, because it can be requested and picked up by the voter only from the locality where has a valid domicile and/or residence.

This policy note analyzes the correlation between the provisions of the electoral legislation in relation to the applicability of the certificate for the right to vote, the challenges of the procedure for obtaining the certificate for the right to vote, the dynamics of the use and the usefulness of the certificate, and comes with recommendations regarding the improvement of the procedure for requesting and obtaining the certificate for right to vote in the elections organized and conducted at the national level