The Moldovan Government has expanded the list of countries where citizens will be able to vote by mail. In addition to the six countries where the method was applied last year, postal voting will also be possible in Japan and Australia during the upcoming parliamentary elections. The draft law approved by the government is expected to increase the efficiency of electoral processes, according to the authors of the initiative.

The bill was submitted to the government by a group of MPs. Minister of Justice Veronica Mihailov-Moraru, who presented the draft to the Cabinet, stated that expanding the list of countries for mail-in voting will contribute to “increasing the efficiency of electoral processes, especially improving the conduct of electoral procedures, as well as the technical and organizational mechanisms that ensure remote voting.”

She also noted that the amendments were introduced following certain deficiencies identified during the implementation of mail voting in the 2024 elections. The period during which voting is possible will also be extended.

“Among the most important proposed changes are the extension of the voting period, the possibility to identify voters through biometric means, and the inclusion of more countries on the list where voting by mail will be available,” the minister explained.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean emphasized that the diaspora plays a very important role in democratization processes and that authorities must ensure their participation in elections.

“The diaspora is very important for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and for the country’s development. The diaspora sends back a lot of money in the form of remittances, so it is our duty to facilitate voting, especially this new tool — voting by mail,” said Recean.

The draft also provides for the creation of an electoral council to manage the postal voting process.

Voting by mail was applied for the first time during the 2024 presidential elections and the constitutional referendum. It was available in six countries: the USA, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.