ODIHR opens election observation mission in North Macedonia
SKOPJE, 7 September 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 17 October local elections in North Macedonia, following an invitation from the national authorities.
The mission is led by Tana de Zulueta and consists of a core team of 13 experts based in Skopje and 20 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 15 September. ODIHR also plans to request OSCE participating states to send 250 short-term observers, who would arrive several days before election day.
The mission will assess whether the elections are held in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely examine key aspects of the elections such as voter registration, candidate registration, campaign activities and their financing, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, and the resolution of election-related disputes. The mission will also monitor media coverage of the campaign.
Meetings with representatives of state authorities, political parties, civil society, the media and the international community are also planned. The ODIHR mission will co-operate closely with the health authorities of North Macedonia and follow all rules they have established.
An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation. ODIHR will present its preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference the day after the election, and will publish its final report on the observation including potential recommendations approximately two months after the end of the election process.
The ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Mission to Skopje operate separately and independently under their respective mandates.
For further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in North Macedonia, please visit https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/northmacedonia
Media contacts:
Kira Kalinina, Media Analyst:kira.kalinina@odihr.mk or +389 72 443 698
or
Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson: katya.andrusz@odihr.pl or +48 609 522 266