16 people want to fight for the president’s job. Eight of them have already been registered by the Central Election Commission (CEC) and may officially start campaigning, other eight have submitted the backing signatures and wait for the CEC’s verdict. The deadline expired today at 17:00.

These are the hopefuls who have lodged the subscription lists with backing signatures: Ana Guțu, from the Right-Wing Party, and the independents Ion Dron, Roman Mihăeș, Vasile Tarlev, Vitalia Pavlicenco, Silvia Radu, Maia Laguta, and Valeriu Ghilețchi.

A pretender, Artur Croitor, has brought but a signature, his own, saying it has been difficult to collect 15,000.

The presidential campaign starts on September 30 and will last 30 days.

"The CEC will check up the lists seven days and will decide whether to register the candidates," said CEC chair Alina Rusu.

Up to now, the CEC has registered PDM leader Marian Lupu, PL leader Mihai Ghimpu, PPEM leader  Iurie Leancă, DA leader Andrei Năstase and Ravnopravie representative Inna Popenco. Today, the Commission has registered PAS leader Maia Sandu, Partidul Nostru representative Dmitri Ciubaşenco, and Socialist leader Igor Dodon.