Objectives

The overall objective of the project is to assist the countries of the South Caucasus and Moldova in conducting 2008-2009 elections in line with international standards on the matter.

Specific objectives:

1. To promote and prepare the reform of the electoral legislation and practice in all countries concerned, in order to bring it into conformity with the principles of the European electoral heritage. The emphasis has to be put in particular a) on the vote itself; b) the counting and the tabulation of results; c) transparency and full access of observers during the whole electoral process; d) the efficiency and transparency of electoral complaints and appeal procedures; e) the accuracy of electoral lists.
2. To improve technical and management capacities of the electoral administration in all countries concerned (capacity-building programmes). This implies, in particular, co-operation with/assistance to the Central Election Commissions, in order to improve knowledge of international election standards by electoral officials as well as functioning of electoral commissions at all levels.
3. To improve quality of domestic adjudication on electoral disputes through training for judges.
4. To assist with measures to achieve fair, balanced and impartial media coverage of elections in all countries concerned.
5. To deepen knowledge/ raise awareness of the principles of the European electoral heritage by the various actors of the electoral process (politicians, academics, legislative drafters, judges, lawyers, electoral officials, the media and civil society representatives, including election observers, and enhance civil society involvement in the supervision of electoral process.
6. To increase citizens' participation and engagement in the electoral process and to enable potential voters to make an informed choice. Women's and youth's participation is being targeted in particular.

Description of Activities

I. Electoral legislation and Practice

1.1. Promotion and preparation of the reform of electoral legislation

The objective of this action would be to ensure that the fundamental principles of European electoral law are reflected in electoral legislation. This implies a) preparatory work with the relevant public and electoral officials on remaining weak points of national electoral legislation (preparatory and expert meetings) and b) elaboration of the Opinion( s) on draft electoral legislation, the purpose of which is to assess whether the above-mentioned principles are indeed reflected in the new legislation.

It is now established practice that, whenever possible, the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODlHR provide joint Opinions on (draft) election legislation on the basis of the comments by their respective experts. This allows avoiding contradictory comments and forum shopping. The consolidated opinions will be prepared alternatively by each organisation, in close consultation with the other one. Other activities may be organised jointly with the OSCE or other international organisations.

1.2. Capacity building programme for the Central Election Commission

The objective of this action would be to assist the electoral administration, through the Central Election Commission of Moldova, in ensuring capacity - building and the efficient functioning of training centres for Central, District and Precinct Electoral Commissions. For this purpose, the CoE Venice Commission will organise a series of training workshops for the electoral administration's staff. Moreover, the capacity-building programme for the Central Electoral Commission might be reinforced by the provision of an international expert, who, placed in loco for about two weeks, would provide assistance to CEC on certain number of technical issues. The extent of these activities will depend on the specific needs of the CEC Moldova, to be detailed at the inception phase.

1.3. Workshop(s) on the functioning of political parties.

The purpose of this action is to disseminate the principles of the European heritage in the field of political parties and to ensure due implementation of the Law on political parties. It is expected that the draft Law on Political parties will be adopted shortly). One or series of training workshops on the provisions of the Law for the representatives of political parties can be organised.

1.4. Seminar for judges on electoral disputes

Case-law in the electoral field is still inadequate in Moldova. The main objective of this activity would be to discuss the electoral complaints and appeals procedures and to ensure that judges are able to apply European standards efficiently when dealing with electoral disputes.

II. Media aspects of electoral campaigns

2.1. Translation into Romanian and publication of the Council of Europe Publication "Media and Elections Handbook"

The handbook is a practical guide for journalists on the coverage of election campaigns which will allow them to apply professional standards on fairness, balance and impartiality in their daily work.

2.2. One training seminar on media professionalism during election campaigns for the written press

The seminar aims to raise awareness amongst journalists on the professional coverage of election campaigns and to elaborate measures to achieve this aim.

2.3. Two training seminars on media professionalism during election campaigns for broadcasters and members of the broadcasting regulatory authorities

The seminar aims to raise awareness amongst journalists on the professional coverage of election campaigns and to elaborate measures to achieve this aim.

2.4. Two training seminars on media self-regulation during election campaigns

Media professionals will meet in a first seminar to elaborate a code of conduct during election campaigns. Initial discussions on such a code will have already been launched during previous media election trainings. In a follow-up meeting the code will be finalised and adopted

2.5. Monitoring of professional media coverage during the election campaign

Independent media monitoring will be conducted by a group of local experts under the direction of an international expert. Using international methodological standards of quantitative and qualitative analysis the media's coverage will be assessed against Council of Europe and other international standards.

2. 6. One television debate on the professional media coverage of election campaigns

During a television debate the role and responsibilities of the media during elections will be explored and made available to a large public. The aim of this debate is to raise awareness amongst media professionals and the general public on the performance of the media in the run-up to the elections, to critically assess this performance and consider ways of improving the coverage. The programme will also make reference and give visibility to the media monitoring carried out in the framework of the project (see above).

III. Citizens' participation/voters' education

3.1. Production of one educational TV spot with an explanation of the voting procedure, and two motivational TV spots (one for young people and one for general public).

The objective of this activity is to raise general awareness of the rules applicable to the voting process on the election day, and to encourage the widest possible participation of potential voters in the elections.

3.2. Organisation of an international conference on free and fair elections ( in Chisinau).

The purpose of this activity is to raise general awareness of the best practices in conducting elections among public officials, CEC members, political parties' representatives, and potential voters.

3.3. Development of Web-site for voters.

The purpose of this activity is to enable potential voters to make an informed choice on the day of elections. In addition to the general information on the electoral process and voting procedure, the Web-site will contain information on the political parties participating in the elections and their programmes.

3.4. Setting up a Consultative Council of Young Voters in co-operation with the Central Election Commission.

The purpose of this activity is to encourage young people to more actively participate in the electoral process. In Moldova, the turnout among the young voters is lower than the general one. Young people are also less actively engaged in the political life. Establishment of the Council will lead to the development of the effective strategies to encourage youth participation in the elections.

3.5. Organising three regional round table discussions on free and fair elections (one in Cahul, one in Balti and one in Comrat) with participation of the CEC officials.

The purpose of this activity is to bring together the local authorities, local electoral administration and other stakeholders to improve their knowledge of the current legislation on elections and to exchange and learn best practices in the organisation of the electoral process.

3.6. Publication of motivational booklets and educational materials to familiarize potential voters with voting procedures.

The focus will be placed on such less active groups of voters as the youth, national minorities, Moldavians residing abroad.