Presidential Election, 24 April 2024 and Parliamentary Elections, 8 May 2024

Following an invitation to observe the 24 April presidential and the 8 May parliamentary elections in North Macedonia, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission deployed from 30 January to 2 February, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM).

Livestream: International Election Observation Mission press conference, Thursday, 9 May 2024

Long-term Observation

The ODIHR EOM, headed by Jillian Stirk, consists of 12 international experts based in Skopje. In addition, 20 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 27 March.

The mission will assess the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards, 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
• 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 300 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to both the 24 April and 8 May election days. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country, in two-person multinational teams, to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after each election day, 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 observed 19 previous elections and 2 referendums in North Macedonia, most recently the 2021 local elections.