Press Release

Statement from the US Embassy about the Election Reruns

June 12, 2008

On Sunday, June 15, Macedonia has another opportunity to demonstrate it can conduct elections that meet international standards.  The United States Government wants Macedonia to succeed in holding free, fair, and peaceful reruns which will help make the case for continued progress toward NATO and EU membership.

We call on government leaders, party leaders, and citizens to ensure there is no repeat of the violence, intimidation and electoral fraud that marred the voting on June 1.  

We expect state authorities to take all necessary measures so that citizens can cast their votes in a secure and democratic atmosphere.  Those measures should include a robust police presence, new LEB and MEC members in municipalities where fraud was detected, and prompt and effective SEC and police response to reports of irregularities during the day of the re-runs.  We will join other domestic and international monitoring efforts to observe and assess the effectiveness of government efforts to this end.  

Though the primary responsibility for conducting free and fair elections falls squarely on the government, we also expect party leaders to do all that is in their power to ensure free and peaceful voting.  That includes directing their supporters to provide free access to polling stations, and strongly condemning the use of violence, intimidation, or other methods to inhibit or otherwise influence voters.   Party leaders also have a responsibility, by word and action, to reduce tensions, avoid provocations and calm the fears of the voters.