The Promo-LEX Association today launched its Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the regional elections scheduled for November 15, 2026, in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia (Gagauzia). The mission will monitor both the elections for members of the People’s Assembly and the election for the office of Governor (Bashkan), which, under the new legal provisions, will be held simultaneously, TRIBUNA reports.

For the first time in Gagauzia, Promo-LEX will conduct a long-term observation mission for the regional elections, covering the entire electoral process—from the organization of the elections and the conduct of the electoral campaign to election day and the post-election period. It should be recalled that, during the 2023 election for the office of Governor (Bashkan), the Association conducted only a short-term observation mission on election day.

The decision to organize a full election observation mission for the regional elections for the first time was determined primarily by changes to the legal framework in 2022 and the inclusion in the new Electoral Code of the Republic of Moldova of procedures governing the organization and conduct of regional elections, as well as by findings resulting from the observation of the 2023 elections.

Promo-LEX considers it necessary to restore the full functioning of the governing institutions in Gagauzia through the election of a new People’s Assembly and a new Governor (Bashkan), following a period of institutional deadlock.

Observation throughout the electoral period will be carried out by the central team and three long-term observers (LTOs), assigned to the three districts of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia: Comrat, Ceadîr-Lunga, and Vulcănești. Through field visits, the LTOs will collect and analyze information based on direct observation, interviews and meetings with stakeholders, as well as consultations of official documents. The activities of electoral contestants will also be monitored online. On election day, the Promo-LEX EOM will deploy 76 short-term observers (STOs), both to cover every established polling station and, as part of four mobile teams, to monitor events occurring outside polling stations.

It should be noted that Promo-LEX has been organizing election observation missions in the Republic of Moldova since 2009, with this mission being its 33rd.