APG must find 580,000 lei for Gagauzia's Central Electoral Commission debts
Past political decisions continue to impose financial burdens on Gagauz autonomy. In 2023, the People's Assembly of Gagauzia (APG) dissolved the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) in Comrat and appointed a new one. However, these actions were later overturned by the court. Consequently, the institution has accrued debts of approximately 580 thousand lei, which will need to be covered by the regional budget.
The amount in question covers the salaries of staff, social contributions, rent, and other expenses, including material insurance, as stated by Nicolai Ormanji, the vice-president of the People's Assembly of Gagauzia, during an APG meeting on Monday, August 17.
The debt was incurred from the time the APG restored the composition of the dissolved Central Electoral Commission (CEC) until July 23 of this year.
Following the establishment of the new CEC, two additional employees were hired, including a driver. When asked by MP Demian Caraseni about the current responsibilities of these employees, Ormanji replied that they were "actually, doing nothing."
Ormanji explained that although the People's Assembly had established the CEC and the Commission had begun its work by signing individual employment contracts, the court later suspended the execution of the People's Assembly's decision. As a result, the CEC's activities were halted, but its work obligations remained in effect, leading to debt accumulation.
The deputies voted to allocate the necessary financial resources to repay the debt and to terminate the employment of the staff in the non-functional CEC apparatus. Additionally, they decided to involve the Court of Accounts to verify the validity of the salary payments.
It is important to note that following a decision by the Supreme Court of Justice on November 27, 2025, which declared the permanent CEC of Gagauzia illegal, the People's Assembly adopted decisions on December 16 to restore and complete the commission's composition. The reconstituted commission held its first meeting on December 17.
However, the Territorial Office of the State Chancellery in Comrat later challenged the People's Assembly's decisions in court. As a result, the Supreme Court of Justice suspended their execution on January 21, 2026, pending a review of the case.
According to amendments to the Electoral Code, the Electoral Council of Gagauzia is to be established in Comrat, a name contested by local deputies. In an effort to resolve the situation and organize elections in Gagauzia, the Parliament in Chisinau has made new amendments to the Electoral Code, which are currently under consideration in their first reading.
