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Municipal elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia fall short on a number of OSCE commitments
SKOPJE 11 September 2000
SKOPJE, 11 September 2000 - The 10 September municipal elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia fell short on a number of OSCE Commitments for democratic elections, concluded the Election Observation Mission deployed by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR).
In a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions issued today, the Election Observation Mission noted that while voting took place in a calm and orderly manner in the majority of municipalities, the overall election atmosphere was tense. Election day was marked by serious security incidents committed by individuals and groups of supporters of political parties in some western municipalities, as well as by irregularities and intimidation. Several serious acts of violence were reported, including shootings in which four people were injured. In the municipality of Debar, voting was canceled in all 24 polling stations due to acts of violence, destruction of ballot boxes and threats against election officials. In some polling stations in other municipalities, voting had to be temporarily suspended to restore order.
This is all the more regrettable as in the preceding weeks the campaign generally had been low-key, with a small number of incidents, harassment and intimidation reported. A large number of electronic and print media across the country gave voters an opportunity for an informed choice on election day, although biased reporting by some State media was also noted.
The Election Observation Mission identified the following shortcomings in the preparations and conduct of the elections:
This Press Release is also available in Macedonian.
However, the English text remains the only official version.
Mission Information
The Election Observation Mission, headed by Ambassador Charles Magee (USA), issued the statement of preliminary findings and conclusions before the final certification of the election results and before a complete analysis of the observation findings. The full text of the statement is available on the ODIHR website. The OSCE/ODIHR will issue a comprehensive and final report approximately one month after the completion of the electoral process.
The statement is based on the observations of election preparations and the campaign by 17 election experts deployed throughout the country for five weeks, and 130 short-term observers from 22 OSCE participating States monitoring the process on election day in over 800 polling stations in 106 municipalities. In addition, the Election Observation Mission monitored two television channels and seven daily newspapers for a period of one month.
For further information, please contact:
In a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions issued today, the Election Observation Mission noted that while voting took place in a calm and orderly manner in the majority of municipalities, the overall election atmosphere was tense. Election day was marked by serious security incidents committed by individuals and groups of supporters of political parties in some western municipalities, as well as by irregularities and intimidation. Several serious acts of violence were reported, including shootings in which four people were injured. In the municipality of Debar, voting was canceled in all 24 polling stations due to acts of violence, destruction of ballot boxes and threats against election officials. In some polling stations in other municipalities, voting had to be temporarily suspended to restore order.
This is all the more regrettable as in the preceding weeks the campaign generally had been low-key, with a small number of incidents, harassment and intimidation reported. A large number of electronic and print media across the country gave voters an opportunity for an informed choice on election day, although biased reporting by some State media was also noted.
The Election Observation Mission identified the following shortcomings in the preparations and conduct of the elections:
- Vague and inconsistent provisions in the Law on Local Elections;
- A State Election Commission interpreting its mandate in an extremely restrictive manner and failing to issue binding regulations on vital issues;
- A severe shortage of funds available to municipalities to organize the elections; and
- Administrative measures initiated by the authorities selectively against a number of media critical of the government shortly before election day.
This Press Release is also available in Macedonian.
However, the English text remains the only official version.
Mission Information
The Election Observation Mission, headed by Ambassador Charles Magee (USA), issued the statement of preliminary findings and conclusions before the final certification of the election results and before a complete analysis of the observation findings. The full text of the statement is available on the ODIHR website. The OSCE/ODIHR will issue a comprehensive and final report approximately one month after the completion of the electoral process.
The statement is based on the observations of election preparations and the campaign by 17 election experts deployed throughout the country for five weeks, and 130 short-term observers from 22 OSCE participating States monitoring the process on election day in over 800 polling stations in 106 municipalities. In addition, the Election Observation Mission monitored two television channels and seven daily newspapers for a period of one month.
For further information, please contact:
- Ambassador Charles Magee, Head of OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, in Skopje
(Tel.: +389-91-118-080; Fax: +389-91-130-422)
- Konrad Olszewski, OSCE-ODIHR Election Officer, in Warsaw
(Tel.: +48-22-520-0600; Fax: +48-22-628-6967)
OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation MissionHotel Continentalbul. Aleksandar Makedonski b.b.1000 Skopje