In the spring of 2020, we joined our colleagues from Switzerland, the UK and Germany to form a transnational alliance aimed at monitoring elections abroad. For the millions of Romanians living, working, and studying in other countries, casting a ballot has always been problematic. From long queues at polling stations to people not being able to vote, their constitutional right denied, elections abroad faced intense politicisation throughout these years. Because of high turn-out rates (if compared to Romania’s), the diaspora as a strategic constituency proved instrumental for regime change. In effect, the diaspora’s capacity to mobilise for political accountability triggered fears amongst Romania’s reactionary decision-makers, who then sought to curtail political participation by organising elections defectively. Our efforts to monitor electoral processes, a necessary civic oversight, are aimed first and foremost at preserving the integrity of this fundamental constitutional right and democratic cornerstone: voting.
After the 2020 parliamentary elections, our transnational cooperation has evolved. Now we are mobilising for policy change, pushing for the adoption of a unified electoral code. Explore our efforts, output, and strategies by clicking on the menus.
