The analysis reviews voter turnout data from the last three national elections (the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections and the 2021 parliamentary elections) and confirms the decision of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) to increase the number of polling stations abroad by approximately 30%.

The Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT), under the aegis of the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (CALC) and within the framework of the UNDP Moldova project “Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Moldova”, has issued an analytical note on the need for additional polling stations abroad for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for 28 September 2025 – attached to this email.

The analysis highlights turnout trends in recent elections and demonstrates that, in several countries with large Moldovan communities—such as France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Romania—the number of voters per polling station was several times higher than the domestic average. Consequently, the expansion of polling stations is justified in order to prevent overcrowding and to ensure equal access to the ballot.

The note confirms that the CEC’s decision to increase the number of polling stations abroad by about 30%—reaching a total of 301 stations in 41 countries—was based on legally established criteria and is supported by statistical evidence on diaspora participation.

The study also draws attention to specific contexts in countries with geographically dispersed populations (the United States, Canada, Spain), as well as to exceptional cases where security concerns have limited polling stations to diplomatic missions (Russia, Israel, Ukraine).

“This analysis shows that expanding the electoral infrastructure abroad is not only justified but necessary to guarantee the constitutional right to vote for Moldovan citizens residing outside the country,” ADEPT stated.