Check against delivery
26 March 2025
Dear colleagues,
Let me turn to the positive aspects that we identified during the mission. We found that:
· The campaign was competitive and predominantly focused on local issues
· The participation rate increased, demonstrating significant public engagement in local democracy.
· the election administration managed most challenges posed by the emergency ordinance efficiently, and election day was conducted largely in an orderly and professional manner, with the notable exception of counting in some polling stations.
At the same time, discussions held in Bucharest revealed relevant areas for improvement. First, we considered that the main issue on election day was the counting and in particular the reconciliation of results. Due to the merger, the election administration was under particular strain with excessive workload, exhaustion and a lack of adequate training leading to errors. We were informed that some polling station chairpersons worked for over 40 consecutive hours in the middle of a heat wave in Bucharest. On the other hand, the fact that the reconciliation of results and correction of errors were not held in public sessions, that deadlines to submit appeals were unrealistic and that only one complaint requesting a recount was accepted, despite more than 120 having been submitted, raised concerns and limited the ability of stakeholders to challenge decisions of the election administration effectively.
We were informed that most discrepancies on the protocols could be explained by the mid-level bureaus directly correcting errors, but we regretted the large margin of appreciation by the election administration on the confirmation of results, determination of invalid ballots and potential irregularities.
However, on the allegations of fraud, we believed that while a small number of violations may have been deliberate, the tiredness, lack of training and complexity of procedures accounted for most of the preventable errors encountered at these stages. To build trust in electoral processes, we recommend:
- simplifying and reviewing procedures and deadlines applicable to the finalisation of protocols, the handover of electoral materials and the tabulation of results;
- building the election administration’s capacity to work more transparently and professionally;
- and finally, considering the introduction of mandatory and ex-officio recounts, held in presence of observers, in the case of significant deviations;
On the pre-election period, we were informed that the campaign was marked by polarisation, media bias, and restrictions on campaign materials. The unhealthy financial relationship between political parties and media outlets led to imbalances in media coverage, while social media campaigning remained underregulated. We were alerted that many political actors started campaigning early as the restrictions during the official campaign period were too high – for example, on the use of political posters. We invite the authorities to address these issues - particularly the issue of political influence on the media and social media campaigning.
Finally, we regretted that women remain severely underrepresented in local politics - 7% of mayors, and less than 20% of councillors - and that the minimum age to stand for election is 23 years old, the highest in the European Union. We believe that strengthening the democratic process at subnational level in Romania will require more effort to enhance inclusivity and build public trust. Promoting the participation of women and youth as candidates, through quotas and lowering the minimum age to stand in elections to 18, as well as broadening the rights of election observers to observe all stages of the process could constitute key steps to reinforce local democracy.
Dear colleagues, we invite you to adopt the draft recommendation. The Congress is committed to supporting Romania in its efforts to strengthen local democracy and we would also like to encourage the authorities of Romania to invite the Congress more systematically to observe local and regional elections in the future.
Thank you for your attention.