Electoral system for the president

Central Electoral Commission of Moldova (Comisia Electorală Centrală a Republicii Moldova), Electoral Code of the Republic of Moldova: Code No. 325 of 08-12-2022 unofficial translation (Parlamentul Cod Nr. 325 din 08-12-2022 Codul Electoral), accessed 14 April 2025

Article 146. Second round of elections. Special provisions 

(1) If none of the candidates for the position of President of the Republic of Moldova gathered at least half of the votes of voters who have participated in elections, a second round of elections shall be organised for the first two candidates, positioned according to the decreasing number of votes obtained in the first round. 

(2) If several candidates have received an equal number of votes in order to access the second round, the Central Electoral Commission makes the drawing of lots, recording that fact in minutes. Candidates are able to decide by mutual agreement who of them will run for elections in the second round or to participate in the drawing of lots. 

(3) If the two candidates participating in the second round of elections received the same number of votes during the first round, the order of including their name in the voting ballot shall be established by drawing the lots. 

(4) The second round of elections shall be organised in 2 weeks after the date of the first round, under the conditions of this Code. The date of the second round of elections shall be set by the decision of the Central Electoral Commission, immediately after the processing the voting results of the first round of elections, but not later than 10 days from the date of the respective elections. The information on the conduct of the second round of elections shall be made public by the Central Electoral Commission within 24 hours after the date when the decision was approved. 

(5) The candidate who obtained the highest number of votes in the second round of elections shall be declared as elected. 

(6) If both candidates obtained the same number of votes, the candidate who has received more votes during the first round of elections shall be considered as elected. If both candidates have received the same number of votes in the first round of elections, the Central Electoral Commission shall conduct the draw the lots, recording that fact in a minutes. 

(7) If one of the candidates withdraws, the remaining candidate shall be considered as elected if he/she received at least half of votes of the voters who have participated in elections. 

[Art. 146 (4) amended by Law No.1 of 18.01.2024, in force from 25.01.2024]