Electoral Code returns to the discussion table in the Assembly of North Macedonia

The issue of the Electoral Code returned to the spotlight during today’s coordination meeting between parliamentary groups in the Assembly of North Macedonia. The matter had remained unresolved before the start of the parliamentary recess, but this time it was reopened by the Left, following recent public discussions about the possibility of holding early elections.

Assembly Speaker Afrim Gashi said at a briefing with journalists that the working group should meet again to seek an agreement on electoral changes. He expressed his conviction that there would be no early elections, but said the Electoral Code should be adopted regardless of when elections are held.

“During the coordination meeting, we also discussed the changes to the Electoral Code, since there has been talk of early elections. Since the working group already exists, I proposed that the same group sit down again and discuss an agreement. I am convinced that there will be no early elections, but even if there are, and regardless of when they are held, it would be good to have the Electoral Code,” said Assembly Speaker Afrim Gashi.

The SDSM has not changed the position it expressed after the latest meeting of parliamentary coordinators. Its main demand is the removal of electronic voting for the diaspora, as the party is concerned that manipulation could occur and that the vote could become public.

“Our positions are crystal clear and unchangeable. First, the current method of voting on the ballot should remain. That means marking only the number, with no other sign. Diaspora voting should also remain as it has been until now. In other words, voting should take place at diplomatic and consular missions, and no change should be allowed that could open the door to electoral fraud. Let electronic voting or voting by mail be withdrawn,” said the leader of the Social Democrats, Venko Filipche.

The Left has also spoken out against the working group’s latest conclusions. The party’s coordinator, Borislav Kërmov, confirmed to Alsat that during the meeting he reiterated the position that the changes recently proposed by the working group were unconstitutional. He called on the coordinators of the other political parties to reconsider the issue within their own structures and to work toward finding a solution at the next meeting.

The government is ready to return to negotiations, but Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski is calling on the opposition to come forward with a unified position.

“I expect a common position, and that is how we concluded that challenging situation. Once the united opposition—the Left, SDSM and DUI—has a common position, we are ready to sit down, discuss and find a common solution,” said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.

The working group, established within the Ministry of Justice and comprising MPs from all political parties represented in the Assembly, failed to overcome all the obstacles and agree on the changes necessary for the adoption of the new Electoral Code. After that, discussions moved from the Ministry to the coordinators of the parliamentary groups, but this stage also produced no result.

SDSM opposes electronic voting for the diaspora, while the Left is calling for the creation of “one” electoral district and an increase in the budget for advertising. The parliamentary majority submitted the proposed amendments to the Assembly and then to the Committee on Political System, while the Macedonian opposition parties submitted 13,500 amendments. The committee held only one session, at which the number and translation of the amendments were announced, and since then the Electoral Code has remained blocked./Alsat/