Early Parliamentary Elections, 5 June 2016

Following an official invitation to observe the early parliamentary elections scheduled for 5 June 2016, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission deployed from 2-5 November 2015, and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE/ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for these elections.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM and the OSCE Mission to Skopje operate separately under their specific mandates.

Long-term observation

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Ambassador Jan Petersen, consists of 12 international experts based in Skopje. In addition, 24 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 31 March.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM will assess this election for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor voter registration, 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. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

Short-term observers

The OSCE/ODIHR requests participating States to second three hundred (300) short-term observers (STOs) to observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results. STOs will be deployed in multinational teams of two, under a deployment plan prepared by the OSCE/ODIHR EOM. In the interest of a broad and balanced representation among participating States, the OSCE/ODIHR requests that individual participating States nominate only up to 15 per cent of the total number of requested STOs. Please consult the information sheet.

Election Day

The OSCE/ODIHR will request 300 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 5 June elections. 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 election, 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 approximately eight weeks after the end of the observation mission.

Co-operation with Other Partners

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe are planning to deploy observer delegations for these elections.

Previous elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed fifteen elections in the country, most recently the 2014 presidential and early parliamentary elections.