Online voting in Moldova: CEC President outlines possible timeline
Online voting holds "promising" potential for the Republic of Moldova, but its successful implementation will rely on the trust in the system's security and transparency, according to Angela Caraman, the chairperson of the Central Electoral Commission. She emphasized that online voting could only become a viable alternative method if all parties involved in the electoral process are confident that the system is secure.
"Internet voting can only be implemented as an alternative method when there is a broad consensus within society regarding its security," declared Angela Caraman during a Realitatea program.
The digitalization of electoral processes is inevitable, and some elements necessary for potential online voting already exist, such as the verification mechanisms used for postal voting. However, the implementation of this method will rely heavily on the level of trust voters have in the security and transparency of the electoral system, according to the chairwoman of the Central Election Commission (CEC).
"When society is confident that this voting method is secure, that voter authentication is reliable, and that the results of the vote are trustworthy, then we can discuss the direct implementation of internet voting," stated the CEC chairwoman.
It is noteworthy that the Republic of Moldova tested postal voting in the last two elections. This method was first implemented during the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum held in October-November 2024, offering an option to Moldovans residing in six countries: the United States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
Although approximately 1,996 individuals pre-registered, not all successfully sent their envelopes or had their votes validated. In the first round and the referendum on October 20, 2024, a total of 1,344 citizens voted by mail, while in the second round of the presidential elections on November 3, 1,447 voters participated.
In the parliamentary elections held on September 28, 2025, Moldovans living in ten countries, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, were able to vote by mail, with 2,055 citizens exercising this right.
