Skopje, 6 February 2024 (MIA) – According to its Rules of Procedure, the State Election Commission (SEC) can function with six members, said the President of the Commission, Aleksandar Dashtevski, in answer to media questions on Tuesday after the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between SEC and MIA.

“SEC can function with six members too since it requires a majority of votes within the Commission, and according to the Rules of Procedure we can operate completely fine with six members as well. Of course, it would be helpful if a seventh member were to be elected, and I leave that to the relevant authorities, i.e., the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia. We can’t meddle in that,” said Dashtevski, asked about the completion of the composition of SEC.

Asked if he discussed the election of a new member with the Speaker of Parliament, Dashtevski said the issue is regulated by the Electoral Code.

“We don’t meddle in that because it is regulated by the Electoral Code with articles 27, 28 and 29, and it is up to Parliament to act and elect a member. The procedure is underway, it would be helpful to us [for a new member to be elected], but it is not up to us to meddle and say what they should do. It doesn’t work like that, as you know. There is a law, and action should be taken in line with the law,” stressed Dashtevski, reiterating that the decisions of the Commission would be legitimate even if it lacks one member - i.e., if it operates with six members.