The OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT organised a roundtable on December 6, 2011 with regard to draft regulations on the legal framework governing election coverage and political campaigning in the media during the election period.

"During recent election cycles it was observed that different media regulations for each election campaign can complicate the election environment," said Jacqueline Carpenter, the OSCE representative for human rights and democracy to Moldova. "Permanent regulations on media coverage and campaigning at the national level can bring more clarity and predictability for all stakeholders," the official added.

In his turn, ADEPT executive director Igor Botan stated that "the new regulations are applicable for all types of elections, including parliamentary and municipal elections as well as referenda. They define the principles of election campaigns in the media, as well as the competences of the Central Election Commission and the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual with regard to regulating media campaigns and coverage. Such clarity was missing in the past."

The CEC chairman, Dr. Iurie Ciocan, who attended the meeting welcomed the forehand regulations in the area and brought comments, recommendations and proposals relating to the discussed drafts. Dr. Ciocan appreciated the work performed by the OSCE Mission and ADEPT during elections and stressed the need of a constructive cooperation between the Central Election Commission, the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual, broadcasters and civil society. He stressed the need of developing cooperation between civil society and CEC with the view to improve the legal framework governing election coverage and campaigning in the media during the election period. In the context, Iurie Ciocan invited all participants in the roundtable to continue discussions with the Central Election Commission.

The regulations were drafted as part of an OSCE-led project with local experts aimed to simplify and unify election legislation and procedures in line with recommendations of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

The roundtable brought together representatives of the Central Election Commission, political parties, mass media, civil society, and international community.