Diaspora gears up for September elections: over 5,500 have pre-registered
Moldovans living abroad are organizing to participate in the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28. According to data from the Central Electoral Commission, over 5,500 citizens from the diaspora have pre-registered to vote in the election. Those who have registered describe the process as straightforward and essential. Early registration allows them to have polling stations closer to them, helping to avoid crowds and long travel distances on election day.
Moldovans in Switzerland have begun registering for the upcoming parliamentary elections, advocating for the establishment of a sufficient number of polling stations.
"Moldovan citizens in Switzerland are a very active part of the diaspora and mobilize effectively when needed. In the past, we had only one polling station here, which prompted us to advocate for the reopening of additional stations. Last year, we successfully opened a station in Zurich with the support of the Moldovan community," said Anastasia Parvan, a Moldovan resident in Switzerland.
A similar situation is observed in the Netherlands.
“Pre-registration is highly popular among students. A major issue in previous elections was the distance students had to travel, as transportation costs in the Netherlands are quite high. Many young people chose not to vote due to these financial concerns. I am confident that in the coming year, many students will want polling stations closer to their cities,” expressed Valeria Berestean, a Moldovan living in the Netherlands.
Oana Guțan, who resides in the United States, has already registered for the election scheduled for September 28. She encourages other Moldovans in the diaspora to do the same.
"I live quite far away. It would take me two hours by train to reach a major city where I could vote. Therefore, I have to plan my day accordingly. This pre-registration helps me organize my time and prioritize voting, as it should be for all citizens of the Republic of Moldova, even when living abroad," said Oana Guțan.
Ion Ozun, who served as the operator of the polling station in Budapest during the presidential elections, emphasizes the importance of pre-registration for better election organization.
"Sometimes it can be complicated to assist citizens through the voting process. Therefore, ensuring that the vote is transparent and reflects the choices of citizens based on their values is crucial. It will be easier once this system is implemented and more citizens take the responsible step of pre-registering for the elections,” stated Ion Ozun, a Moldovan residing in Hungary.
Citizens intending to vote abroad in the parliamentary elections on September 28 can register online at inregistrare.cec.md. The registration process will remain open until August 14.
