| Country: | Moldova |
| Type: | presidential |
| Previous Election: | 1991 Moldovan presidential election |
| Previous Year: | 1991 |
| Next Election: | 2001 Moldovan presidential election |
| Next Year: | 2001 |
| Election Date: | 17 November 1996 (first round) 1 December 1996 (second round) |
| Image1: | Petru Lucinschi 2000.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Petru Lucinschi |
| Party1: | Independent politician |
| Popular Vote1: | 919,831 |
| Percentage1: | 54.02% |
| Nominee2: | Mircea Snegur |
| Party2: | Party of Rebirth and Conciliation of Moldova |
| Popular Vote2: | 782,933 |
| Percentage2: | 45.98% |
| President | |
| Before Election: | Mircea Snegur |
| Before Party: | PCRM |
| After Election: | Petru Lucinschi |
| After Party: | Independent politician |
Presidential elections were held in Moldova on 17 November 1996, with a second round on 1 December.[1] Whilst incumbent President Mircea Snegur received the most votes in the first round, he was defeated in the second by Petru Lucinschi.[2]