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Home Institutions and structures OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Elections North Macedonia Local Elections, 19 October 2025
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Local Elections, 19 October 2025

Type:

Election observation mission

Country:

North Macedonia

Mission at a glance

Mission at a glance

Head of Mission: Matteo Mecacci

13 core team experts from 13 participating States, based in Skopje

24 long-term observers deployed throughout the country

Mission schedule

Mission schedule

5 September: Opening press conference

11 September: Arrival of long-term observers

13 September: Deployment of long-term observers throughout the country

15 October: Arrival of short-term observers

17 October: Deployment of short-term observers to areas of observation

19 October: Election day

20 October: Press conference on preliminary findings and conclusions

Following an invitation to observe the 19 October local elections in North Macedonia, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) deployed from 24 to 27 June 2025, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM).

Long-term Observation

The ODIHR EOM, headed by Matteo Mecacci, consists of 13 international experts based in Skopje. In addition, 24 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 13 September.

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 follow fundamental components of the elections, such as:

  • voter registration,
  • candidate registration,
  • campaign activities and financing,
  • the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies,
  • election-related legislation and its implementation,
  • the resolution of election-related disputes,
  • election accessibility.

The ODIHR EOM will also conduct qualitative and quantitative monitoring of media coverage of the election campaign. The ODIHR EOM will also conduct a limited qualitative and quantitative observation of election campaigns on social networks.

Election Day

ODIHR will request the secondment of 250 short-term observers from OSCE participating States to follow the election day proceedings. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two, which will observe:

  • opening of polling stations,
  • voting,
  • counting of ballots,
  • tabulation of results at all levels.

The day after the elections, ODIHR will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued some months after the end of the election process.

Previous Elections

ODIHR has observed 20 elections and 2 referenda in North Macedonia, most recently the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.