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Preliminary statement on presidential elections in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
SKOPJE 15 November 1999
SKOPJE, 15 November 1999 - The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Election Observation Mission to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia issued a statement of preliminary findings after the second round of the presidential elections held on 14 November 1999.
Based on the overall findings of the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission from the first and second round of the elections, it can be concluded the electoral process was generally carried out satisfactorily, and in general accordance with OSCE commitments.
While the election was carried out according to the law in the vast majority of the country's polling stations, a number of polling stations in the west of the country and around Skopje experienced irregularities. Moreover, high voter turnout figures in some districts and some polling stations raise concerns that need to be addressed by the authorities. In order to verify the full legitimacy of these figures and to ensure full confidence in the results in all districts, the election authorities need to carefully scrutinize any and all reported irregularities, even in the absence of a formal complaint.
In conclusion, based on preliminary findings, the election process, including the conduct of the campaign and the voting and counting processes on the national level, was generally satisfactory. The Election Observation Mission will continue to monitor all claims in the post-election period.
This preliminary statement should be considered in conjunction with the statement issued by OSCE/ODIHR after the first round of voting. It was issued by the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission prior to the completion of the formal election process. A final report will be issued within one month of the final official election results have been declared.
This assessment is based upon the reports of 11 long-term experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and some 105 short-term observers from 25 participating States of the OSCE. On election day, observers reported from 725 polling stations in 77 districts. The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission has been present in the country since 21 September 1999. Mr. Mark Stevens is the Head of the Mission. The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission would like to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Election Commission for their support of the observation.
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Stevens, head of mission, OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, Warsaw, Poland, tel.: (+389) 91 231 671, or Anders Karlsen, election adviser, OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw, (+48) 22 520 0600.
Based on the overall findings of the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission from the first and second round of the elections, it can be concluded the electoral process was generally carried out satisfactorily, and in general accordance with OSCE commitments.
While the election was carried out according to the law in the vast majority of the country's polling stations, a number of polling stations in the west of the country and around Skopje experienced irregularities. Moreover, high voter turnout figures in some districts and some polling stations raise concerns that need to be addressed by the authorities. In order to verify the full legitimacy of these figures and to ensure full confidence in the results in all districts, the election authorities need to carefully scrutinize any and all reported irregularities, even in the absence of a formal complaint.
In conclusion, based on preliminary findings, the election process, including the conduct of the campaign and the voting and counting processes on the national level, was generally satisfactory. The Election Observation Mission will continue to monitor all claims in the post-election period.
This preliminary statement should be considered in conjunction with the statement issued by OSCE/ODIHR after the first round of voting. It was issued by the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission prior to the completion of the formal election process. A final report will be issued within one month of the final official election results have been declared.
This assessment is based upon the reports of 11 long-term experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and some 105 short-term observers from 25 participating States of the OSCE. On election day, observers reported from 725 polling stations in 77 districts. The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission has been present in the country since 21 September 1999. Mr. Mark Stevens is the Head of the Mission. The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission would like to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Election Commission for their support of the observation.
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Stevens, head of mission, OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, Warsaw, Poland, tel.: (+389) 91 231 671, or Anders Karlsen, election adviser, OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw, (+48) 22 520 0600.