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Presidential election generally consistent with international standards but marred by irregularities, OSCE reports from Skopje
SKOPJE 29 April 2004
SKOPJE, 29 April 2004 - The second round of the presidential election in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 28 April was generally consistent with OSCE election related commitments. However, election day was marred by serious but localized irregularities at polling stations, says the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in its statement of preliminary findings and conclusions, published today. Some 300 observers monitored the election for the OSCE/ODIHR, visiting 1,300 polling stations.
"The overall picture remains that of a democratic election held under extraordinary circumstances," said Ambassador Friedrich Bauer, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Mission. "But the problems identified were more extensive than in the first round, ranging from group and proxy voting to ballot stuffing. Regrettably, the State Election Commission rejected all the complaints received from the parties after the first round, regardless of merit. In so doing the SEC missed an opportunity to send a message that such irregularities would not be tolerated."
Ambassador Bauer pointed out that increased tensions between supporters of the two remaining candidates, and concerns about low voter turnout, had led to numerous instances where officials and others had engaged in electoral malfeasance to secure votes for their favorite candidate and to increase the total number of votes. "In certain areas, serious incidents cast a shadow over the election. One of the most serious being a member of parliament entering polling stations and disrupting polling."
On the positive side was the fact that the campaign for the second round was largely free of violence. Moreover, the second round was competitive, media reporting was generally fair and unbiased and a large number of domestic observers were deployed around the country, which gave increased transparency to the process.
On election day voting was rated good or very good in 92 per cent of the stations, but observers rated counting good in 76 per cent, down from 92 per cent in the first round. Significantly, strong indications of ballot box stuffing were reported in 4 per cent of all polling stations visited as well as numerous cases of identical signatures or failure to sign voter lists. International and domestic observers were prevented from observing in several polling stations.
Gerald Mitchell, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Section said: "The 50 per cent threshold may have been an invitation for irregularities and the authorities should seriously consider reviewing the need for such a provision. While the turnout was apparently sufficient, this in no way diminishes the responsibility of the State Election Commission to review irregularities and respond to complaints."
The OSCE/ODIHR stands ready to assist the national authorities and civil society to address any shortcomings in the election process.
"The overall picture remains that of a democratic election held under extraordinary circumstances," said Ambassador Friedrich Bauer, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Mission. "But the problems identified were more extensive than in the first round, ranging from group and proxy voting to ballot stuffing. Regrettably, the State Election Commission rejected all the complaints received from the parties after the first round, regardless of merit. In so doing the SEC missed an opportunity to send a message that such irregularities would not be tolerated."
Ambassador Bauer pointed out that increased tensions between supporters of the two remaining candidates, and concerns about low voter turnout, had led to numerous instances where officials and others had engaged in electoral malfeasance to secure votes for their favorite candidate and to increase the total number of votes. "In certain areas, serious incidents cast a shadow over the election. One of the most serious being a member of parliament entering polling stations and disrupting polling."
On the positive side was the fact that the campaign for the second round was largely free of violence. Moreover, the second round was competitive, media reporting was generally fair and unbiased and a large number of domestic observers were deployed around the country, which gave increased transparency to the process.
On election day voting was rated good or very good in 92 per cent of the stations, but observers rated counting good in 76 per cent, down from 92 per cent in the first round. Significantly, strong indications of ballot box stuffing were reported in 4 per cent of all polling stations visited as well as numerous cases of identical signatures or failure to sign voter lists. International and domestic observers were prevented from observing in several polling stations.
Gerald Mitchell, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Section said: "The 50 per cent threshold may have been an invitation for irregularities and the authorities should seriously consider reviewing the need for such a provision. While the turnout was apparently sufficient, this in no way diminishes the responsibility of the State Election Commission to review irregularities and respond to complaints."
The OSCE/ODIHR stands ready to assist the national authorities and civil society to address any shortcomings in the election process.