Candidates for presidential elections can register starting with Wednesday, August 31, in the race to elect the next president of the Republic of Moldova. Several political parties, including the Democratic Party, Party Action and Solidarity and the Socialist Party are expected to announce their candidates today.

Central Election Commission informs that the initiative groups that will submit documents in support of a particular candidate should comprise at least 25 people and more than 100 voting people. Within 3 days after receiving the submitted documents, the Central Electoral Commission will verify their accuracy and decide upon the registration or refusal of registration of the initiative groups.

Non-affiliated MP Valeriu Ghiletchi said previously that he would participate as independent candidate in presidential elections. "It is my decision to participate and I believe that I proved that I am independent. I do not want to play in somebody’s hands.  I want to be a candidate for the Republic of Moldova", said Ghiletchi in mid-August.

Iurie Ciocan, former president of CEC said that the organization and development of the presidential elections would cost 100 million lei. Therefore, these could be the most expensive elections in the history of the Republic of Moldova, concludes mold-street.com, recalling that the budget for the local elections dated 14 June, 2015 was estimated at about 90 million lei, while the parliamentary elections dated November 30, 2014 cost almost twice less.

The decision on the election of the president directly by citizens was taken in March, 2016 by the Constitutional Court, after in November 2015, a group of MPs of PLDM, including Valeriu Ghiletchi have filed a complaint. The 18 lawmakers challenged the law by which the Constitution was amended and led to the election of the president by Parliament. Liberal Democrats have argued that the procedure was violated when the amendments were adopted.  

According to the authors of the notification dated 5 July 2000, MPs adopted amendments to the Constitution which were not approved by the Constitutional Court, contrary to the procedure established by the Constitution and the Regulation of Parliament for its revision. Court ruling shows that the constitutional reform approved 16 years ago generated an imperfect system of governance, a potential of conflict between the state authorities, which is a direct consequence of ignoring the ruling of the Constitutional Court by Parliament.