Local Elections, 17 and 31 October 2021

Following an invitation to observe the local elections in North Macedonia scheduled for 17 and 31 October 2021, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for these elections.

Long-term Observation

The mission is led by Tana de Zulueta (Italy) and consists of a core team of 13 experts based in Skopje. In addition, 20 long-term observers were deployed throughout the country from 15 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 examine fundamental components of the elections, such as:

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

The ODIHR EOM will also conduct qualitative and quantitative monitoring of media coverage of the election campaign.

Election Day

ODIHR has requested 250 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 17 October 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 each round of elections, ODIHR will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation, including potential recommendations, will be published approximately eight weeks after the end of the election process.

Previous Elections

ODIHR has previously deployed 20 observation activities in North Macedonia since 1998, most recently to the 2020 early parliamentary elections.