Skopje, 21 March 2024 (MIA) - Ensuring fair and democratic elections was the topic in focus at Thursday's meeting between caretaker Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi and the President of the State Election Commission (SEC), Aleksandar Dashtevski, who was accompanied by members of the Commission.

Interlocutors pointed out that ensuring fair and democratic elections was the mandate of the current Government, as well as the obligation of the State Election Commission, the Government said in a press release after the meeting, which was held at the invitation of caretaker PM Xhaferi. 

He underlined that this does not only mean ensuring the elections in terms of legal regulations and minimum standards, but also mutual proactivity in order to be able to foresee potential crises and propose scenarios and solutions that will be a guide for resolving such crises.

"This is certainly important, because among other obligations, the two institutions together have the obligation to protect the reputation of the institutions and strengthen the confidence of the citizens in the election process itself. This will only be achieved if confirmed that all necessary measures have indeed been taken to protect citizens and enable them to exercise their right," said Xhaferi. 

SEC President Dashtevski welcomed PM Xhaferi's proposal on coordination, noting that the SEC as a competent body for the successful conduct of elections, which is independent, impartial, responsible and professional in its work, needs support from other institutions.
 
Participants in the meeting exchanged information regarding the necessary preparations for conducting the upcoming elections, stressing the legal competence, as well as the political will, for free, fair and democratic electoral processes in the presidential and parliamentary elections on April 24 and May 8, respectively, where citizens will freely make their choice as in previous election cycles.

Xhaferi noted that the Government he leads works in accordance with the legal regulations for the elections, adding that he is strongly committed to seeing the competent institutions organize and conduct fair elections, in line with the best European practices and standards.

Interlocutors agreed that the Republic of North Macedonia is on the European path, practices European values ​​and all political entities need a strong focus and a narrative of mutual respect for fair and democratic elections that will contribute to progress towards the European Union.

Photo: Government