Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights - Elections

In response to an invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the OSCE/ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission on 29 April to monitor the 1 June pre-term parliamentary elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The deployment of the mission follows an invitation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs on 19 April 2008. The invitation was issued after parliament voted to dissolve itself on 12 April 2008, a move supported by 70 of the 120 members of parliament.

Long-term observation

The Mission, headed by Ambassador Robert Barry of the United States, includes 11 international staff based at the Skopje head office and 20 long-term observers deployed in the regions.

The Mission is asssessing the entire election process in terms of its compliance with international standards for democratic elections and national legislation. It focuses on the campaign period, the legislative framework and its implementation, the media situation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, and the resolution of disputes.

Election day observation

The ODIHR has requested 250 short-term observers from the OSCE participating States, to be deployed shortly before election day. The short-term observers will be deployed around the country in teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after the election day, the Election Observation Mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A comprehensive final report will be released about eight weeks after the completion of the process.

Previous elections

The ODIHR has observed ten previous electoral events in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, including the 2006 parliamentary elections, 2005 local elections, 2004 referendum, 2004 presidential election, 2002 parliamentary elections, 2000 municipal elections and the 1999 presidential election.