Press Release

US Statement on Macedonian Parliamentary Elections

June 2, 2008

The U.S. Embassy expresses deep concern over the severe shortcomings noted by domestic and international observers in yesterday’s parliamentary elections and as reflected in ODIHR’s June 2 report. We are especially disappointed by high levels of violence – resulting in one death and several injured – and intimidation of voters, electoral officials and accredited observers by armed groups associated with the major ethnic Albanian parties.

Equally disappointing were widespread irregularities, including theft or stuffing of ballot boxes, and manipulation of voter lists in polling stations, especially in the Northwest of the country and in the City of Skopje. In some instances, observers noted police and other law enforcement officials either standing by while irregularities were occurring, or actively aiding the perpetrators.

The seriously flawed voting on June 1 greatly discredits this country and negatively affects its EU and NATO integration prospects. In order to repair that damage, the government must take immediate steps to ensure that corrupted polls, as noted by ODIHR, MOST, and other International Community Observers are nullified and clean, fair, and peaceful reruns held (especially in Electoral Districts 1 and 6).

The government must remove any law enforcement officials whose loyalty is to a political party rather than professional police work. It should take all necessary steps to ensure that no parallel force operated by or supporting any political party is allowed to influence the voters or voting on the day of the reruns.

Strict security procedures to safeguard voters, electoral board members, and election observers must be in place and fully implemented to prevent a repeat of the events of June 1. The government must vigorously investigate, prosecute and appropriately sanction those found to have perpetrated those events, which have tarnished this country’s democratic image.