In August 2026, as the president of the Electoral Council of the Florești District Electoral Circumscription No. 18, Beiu Minodora, I participated in the online conference titled "The Decision to Run: Identifying Motivation, Setting Goals, and Defining One's Electorate," held as part of the "Accessibility Conferences" series and the Capacity Building Program for Persons with Disabilities for Participation in the General Local Elections of 2027.

The event represented an important space for dialogue and exchange of experiences regarding political participation, inclusion, and the promotion of equal opportunities in the electoral process, with an emphasis on encouraging persons with disabilities to actively engage in public life and in the decision-making processes of their communities.

During the conference, Ms. Irina Revin, president of the Association of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities in the Republic of Moldova "European Abilities Without Limits," an expert in the field of political participation, leadership, and inclusion of persons with disabilities, addressed essential aspects for individuals intending to run for an elective position.

A particularly important element of the conference was the emphasis that persons with disabilities should not be viewed solely as beneficiaries of public policies but also as active participants in the process of decision-making and adoption. Their participation in elections, including as candidates, contributes to diversifying representation and identifying solutions that are more aligned with the real needs of the community.

Political participation entails not only the right to vote but also the right to run for office, to be elected, to express opinions, and to contribute to community governance. From this perspective, the accessibility of the electoral environment, information, and communication processes represents important conditions for the effective exercise of electoral rights.

For local communities, the involvement of persons with disabilities in public life can bring new perspectives, valuable experiences, and concrete solutions to the problems faced by citizens. Therefore, promoting a culture of participation and civic responsibility must be a common concern of public institutions, local authorities, civil society organizations, and all actors involved in the electoral process.

The conference also highlighted an essential idea: the decision to run begins with confidence in one's abilities and the desire to effect positive change in the community. A credible candidate is one who knows their values, understands the issues faced by citizens, sets achievable goals, and is prepared to take responsibility for the promises made.

Such activities contribute to strengthening competencies, increasing confidence, and developing civic leadership among persons with disabilities and create the conditions for more active participation in the General Local Elections of 2027.

The event was organized by the INFONET Alliance, as part of the "Equal Access for All" campaign, with the support of the project "Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Moldova," implemented by UNDP Moldova and funded by Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

The Electoral Council of Florești No. 18 reaffirms its commitment to promoting an electoral process that is accessible, transparent, inclusive, and centered on respecting the rights of every citizen.

This text was translated using machine translation using AI translator based on OPENAI