Early Parliamentary Elections, 5 June 2011

Following an official invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and based on the findings and conclusions of a needs assessment mission, ODIHR deployed an election observation mission on 6 May to monitor the early parliamentary elections on 5 June 2011.

The mission, headed by Mr. Julian Peel Yates (United Kingdom), consisted of 12 international experts based in Skopje. In addition, 20 long-term observers were deployed throughout the country from 9 May.

Long-term observation

The mission, headed by Mr. Julian Peel Yates, consists of 17 international experts based in Skopje. In addition, 20 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 9 May.

The mission will assess the elections for compliance with principles for democratic electoral processes, including commitments agreed to by all OSCE participating States, as well as with domestic legislation. Observers will closely monitor candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

Election day

ODIHR has recommended that participating States second 300 short-term observers to be deployed shortly before election day. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational 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 elections, ODIHR, together with its parliamentary partners, 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 approximately eight weeks after the end of the observation mission.

Co-operation with other partners

ODIHR's mission is working closely with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has appointed Mr. Roberto Battelli, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Treasurer and Special Representative on South East Europe, as Special Co-ordinator to lead the OSCE short-term observer mission

Previous elections

ODIHR has observed 11 elections in the country.