Today, 11 July 2024, Promo-LEX presented its report entitled “Implementation of Strategic Plans of the Central Electoral Commission and the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training” (Annual assessment: 2023 and Summing-up report: 2020 – 2023). The report presents an analysis of the development priorities and activities scheduled by CEC and CICDE for the monitored period.

CEC and CICDE’s 2023 achievements

In 2023 CEC committed to achieve 44 tasks related to 20 strategic activities. According to the Promo-LEX assessment, the electoral authority managed to achieve only 36% (16 out of 44) of all planned tasks, while 34% (15 out of 44) were partially achieved and 30% (13 out of 44) remained unachieved. The main achievements include amended regulatory framework, funding supervision and control for political parties and pre-election campaigns, renewed technical equipment to be used by electoral bodies, and election-related training of judges, prosecutors and journalists. However, CEC was challenged by publishing data on the funding of political parties and pre-election campaigns, the functioning of the financial control system and the creation of a voter profile.

As for CICDE, in 2023 the institution committed to achieve 40 tasks related to 16 strategic activities. Promo-LEX estimated that CICDE achieved 88% (35 out of 40) of all planned tasks, while 7% (3 out of 40) were partially achieved and 5% (2 out of 40) remained unachieved. CICDE’s main achievements include diversified partnerships and attracted external funds, as well as promotion of electoral education in schools and universities. However, CICDE had some challenges in having the training courses accredited and retaining experienced trainers.

Degree of CEC and CICDE’s entire strategic plan implementation (2020-2023)

In 2020-2023, CEC obtained the following results: 42% (39 out of 94) of all planned tasks were achieved, while 36% (34 out of 94) were partially achieved and 22% (21 out of 94) remained unachieved. CEC’s main achievements included optimized work processes and established sanctions for violating party funding rules. During the same period, CICDE achieved 91% (62 out of 68) of all planned tasks, while 8% (5 out of 68) were partially achieved and 1% (1 out of 68) remained unachieved. CICDE’s main achievements included electoral education integrated in schools and universities and an improved remote learning platform.

“As for CEC’s activity, certain challenges were identified that prevented the implementation of the Strategic Plan. Here we should mention that the elections were organized and carried out under new provisions, companies were identified that could develop software applications, and the implementation of some activities within the Strategic Plan was not within the institution’s competence. CEC’s results are moderate, despite the considerable effort that has been made. Thus, 44% of the tasks were taken and included in the new Strategic Plan 2024-2027. CICDE also faced certain challenges, among them the amended electoral legislation and the limited availability of experienced trainers. CICDE obtained very good results, having achieved 91% of the proposed tasks”, stated Mariana Dobrovolschi, electoral analyst, Promo-LEX.

Recommendations

Having monitored how CEC and CICDE’s 2020-2023 activities were implemented, Promo-LEX Association formulated several recommendations, such as:

• Include major activities of strategic value in Strategic Plans;
• Monitor on a regular basis the implementation of activities and assess the results achieved;
• Adjust annual Strategic Plans;
• Maintain constant collaboration with public authorities, civil society organizations and development partners;
• Continue efforts to accomplish unachieved and partially achieved tasks.

“This report concludes the effort to monitor the Strategic Plans of the Central Electoral Commission and the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training for 2020-2023. The Central Election Commission and the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training have already approved strategic programs for the next period of 2024-2027. In this regard as well, our recommendations focus on the way to formulate tasks, objectives, activities and indicators, as well as on the way to implement them”, said Mihaela Duca-Anghelici, head of the analysis and research team, Promo-LEX.

The report “Implementation of Strategic Plans of the Central Electoral Commission and the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training” (Annual assessment: 2023 and Summing-up report: 2020 – 2023) can be accessed here.

The report “Implementation of Strategic Plans of the Central Electoral Commission and the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training” (Annual assessment: 2023 and Summing-up report: 2020 – 2023) was prepared within the “Democracy, Transparency and Accountability” program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Promo-LEX Association has been monitoring the activity of CEC and CICDE since 2016 to strengthen the authorities’ accountability towards citizens and ensure fair, representative and competitive elections. The opinions expressed in the monitoring report belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders.

For further information please contact:

Dumitrița Ciuvaga
Communications Manager
Promo-LEX Association
Tel.: +373 68 800 827