A WEB

By Youngduck Son, Director of Planning, and Jinju Jo, Director of Electoral Research & Observation, A-WEB Secretariat

On May 4, 2025, two representatives from the A-WEB Secretariat had the opportunity to observe the first round of Romania’s presidential election. The mission offered a meaningful opportunity to study, first-hand, the electoral processes implemented by the Permanent Electoral Authority (PEA) and its partner institutions.

The observation focused not only on the overall administration of the election but also on notable innovations that reflect Romania’s efforts to enhance electoral inclusiveness and transparency. One such measure was the newly introduced labeling system for political advertising, aligned with EU Regulation 2024/900, which aims to improve transparency by requiring clear disclosures on the origin and funding of campaign content, whether broadcast or digital.

 The election also demonstrated Romania’s commitment to ensuring accessibility for all voters. Special ballot boxes were made available for voters who were physically unable to attend polling stations, while braille voting templates were piloted at select locations to support voters with vision impairments in casting their ballots independently.

Observing these developments served as a valuable opportunity for mutual learning and cross-comparison. The A-WEB Secretariat expresses its appreciation to the Permanent Electoral Authority of Romania for their warm hospitality and for facilitating this meaningful experience.