Second round of municipal elections well administered and highly competitive, but lack of level playing field persists, observers say

SKOPJE, 8 April 2013 – As in the first round of voting, the second round of municipal elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was highly competitive and well administered, but partisan media coverage and a blurring of state and party activities led, again, to the lack of a level playing field, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) concluded in a statement issued today.

“In the second round of elections candidates were generally able to campaign freely,” said Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, the Head of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission. “At the same time, our mission continued to receive allegations of voter intimidation and misuse of state resources.”

The electoral legal framework lacks details on key issues in second rounds of municipal elections, leaving room for continued reform, the statement said. The State Election Commission continued to work transparently and met electoral deadlines, but collegiality deteriorated during the review of complaints, with decisions largely based on party affiliation. The statement further noted that the absence of clear procedures for handling complaints does not guarantee timely and effective remedy.

Following the first round of voting, increasing concerns were raised regarding the accuracy of voter lists. The State Election Commission decided not to allow some citizens to vote in the second round, based on issues related to their residency, despite their being on the voter lists.  

The second election day was calm overall, and procedures were largely followed, although instances of group voting persisted.

For further information contact:
Lauren Baranowska, OSCE/ODIHR, +389 70 359 082 or +48 695 916 998, lauren.baranowska@odihr.pl