The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) informs that the period for submitting applications for the accreditation of observers for monitoring the new local elections and local referendums on May 17, 2026 will close on May 10, 2026.

It is noted that for associations and non-governmental organizations from the country or abroad, the application for observer accreditation can only be submitted if their statutes or other internal documents provide for the conduct of election observation missions and/or the implementation of activities in the field of human rights protection or democratic values, the promotion of participatory democracy and/or the interests of certain categories of citizens. These entities must have a permanent governing body, authorized representatives, and mechanisms for communication with them.

Applications for the accreditation of national observers will be examined within a maximum of 5 days from the submission of the complete file, while those for international observers will be examined within a maximum of 10 days.

We remind you that on May 17, 2026, new local elections will take place in the village of Costești and the commune of Ruseștii Noi in the Ialoveni district, the village of Mașcăuți in the Criuleni district, the commune of Sărătenii Vechi in the Telenești district, the city of Taraclia in the Taraclia district, the municipality of Orhei in the Orhei district, the village of Topala in the Cimișlia district, the village of Copceac in the UTA Găgăuzia, the village of Plop in the Dondușeni district, and the commune of Frumușica in the Florești district.

On the same day, local referendums will also be organized regarding the recall of the mayor from the village of Hăsnășenii Mari in the Drochia district and the commune of Sadîc in the Cantemir district.

More details about the new local elections and local referendums can be found on the official website of the Commission https://cec.md, in the sections “New local elections 17.05.2026” and “Local referendum of 17.05.2026.”