Have you ever seen an election that seemed dramatic or exciting, but the drama or excitement was not just in the context of the vote? Well, just recently, in Moldova's parliamentary elections, regardless what they were like from the outside, international monitors of the elections from the OSCE/ODIHR (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe/ Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights), said that the vote was competitive, etc., there were problems in the campaign context: cyberattacks, illegal funding, and misinformation.
How did the elections go?
On September 28, 2025, Moldovans went to the polls and there were many parties and real choices on the ballot. However, the campaign did not go well.
Cyber attacks created issues
A major factor during the campaign were hackers compromising political parties and candidates; in many instances party and candidate in official platforms were out of service. Hackers were creating ambiguity for voters and blocking candidates from communicating with voters. Just imagine weeks of preparation is going to waste because the candidate website is down for a couple of days. What a nightmare!
Illegal campaign financing
Another important issue was illegal financing. Some of the parties received money from questionable or unregistered sources, which gave them an advantage. It demonstrates that money can heavily influence politics.
Fake news and disinformation
Fake information was also another major concern. False claims were circulating, primarily through the internet, often as it relates to a candidate or to induce voters to be afraid. Social media made it all the more challenging for voters to determine what the truth was. Ever thought about how a single fake post could influence people's views? This was a clear opportunity.
Observers' impressions
The OSCE / ODIHR team expressed that voting went fairly well. People were able to attend polling places and didn't face any major difficulty to cast their votes. However, the environment to campaign was not fair, which may impair voters' casts.
Why it is important
These elections demonstrate that modern politics derives its stature from much more than debates or rallies. It includes cybersecurity, campaign financing, and reputable information. Moldova exemplifies that serious behind-the-desk issues can complicate even a competitive election.
My response
To be honest, I find it fascinating. It is like a game with constantly changed rules. Cyber hackers, misinfo, and funky money are the new battlefield. It makes one wonder how many other countries grapple with this quietly.
