On August 7, 2026, the Chairperson of the Electoral Council of the Leova District Electoral Circumscription No. 22, Roxana Ceoric, participated online in the launch event of the Capacity Building Program for Persons with Disabilities for Participation in the General Local Elections of 2027, an initiative carried out by the INFONET Alliance as part of the "Accessibility Conferences" series.

The event served as a dialogue space dedicated to the participation of persons with disabilities in public and political life, bringing together representatives of the electoral administration, public authorities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders interested in promoting inclusion and equal opportunities.

The first session of the Program was dedicated to motivation for involvement in public and political life, personal leadership, and the development of self-confidence, topics presented by trainer Olga Nicolenco. The discussions aimed to highlight the role that each individual can play in the community and the importance of overcoming obstacles that limit civic and political engagement.

Particular emphasis was placed on the necessity of reducing barriers and systemic inequalities, as well as encouraging more active involvement of persons with disabilities. In this regard, electoral participation is not limited to exercising the right to vote but can also include engagement in civic activities, decision-making processes, and, including, participation as a candidate in elections.

The conference also addressed aspects related to creating an accessible and fair electoral process, in which electoral rights can be effectively exercised by all individuals, without unjustified barriers. Knowledge of rights, development of autonomy, and strengthening the link between the needs of persons with disabilities and public inclusion policies represent, in this context, important components of genuine democratic participation.

The Program will continue with a series of thematic conferences and training sessions planned for the upcoming period. The topics will address, among others, the participation of persons with disabilities in electoral processes and public life, combating disinformation, political communication, and leveraging experiences and best practices from the Republic of Moldova and other European countries.

For the electoral administration, promoting accessibility and equal opportunities is an important component of a democratic electoral process. The right to vote and to be elected must be effectively exercised by every citizen, and inclusive participation directly contributes to better representation of communities and the strengthening of local democracy.

The Program is implemented within the framework of the "Equal Access for All" campaign, organized by the INFONET Alliance, with the support of the project "Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Moldova," implemented by UNDP Moldova and funded by Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.