Skopje, 20 March 2024 (MIA) — The State Election Commission has received 2954 applications from diaspora community members registering to vote in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

Of them, 2610 have been accepted, 342 have been rejected and two are yet to be processed. Given that the threshold for voting in the parliamentary election of 5,355 registered voters wasn't met, diaspora community members will only be able to vote for President in the state's diplomatic missions abroad.

Voting for President on April 24 and for in the May 8 runoff, based on the applications, will be organized in 24 countries. Only 10 voters needed to register so a presidential vote could be organized abroad.

In Germany, 578 Macedonian diaspora members registered to vote, followed by 327 in Slovenia, 241 in the USA, 182 in Switzerland, 122 in Canada, 115 in Austria, 101 in Italy, 97 in Australia, and 91 in Belgium. Only 12 voters registered in China.

SEC spokeswoman Ljupka Guguchevska said last week that no matter how many diaspora members registered to vote, presidential elections would be organized. To organize voting for the parliamentary elections, however, she said at least 5,355 voters needed to register in all 52 consular missions or diplomatic offices abroad.

"Also, at least 5,355 voters should vote for one candidate in order for him to be elected," Guguchevska said. mr/