On my way to CIVIL’s press studio, I read a short analysis of CIVIL MEDIA’s research team on the topic Danela Arsovska, in which several interesting details are revealed in relation to the pre-election performance of this candidate.
While we are on the topic, it’s worth to mention that CIVIL’s Monitoring Team notes that this candidate, as well as several other, in this past period have refused public confrontation with their opponents. That casts a shadow on the democratic capacity of some political entities in this election process. Arsovska refused to appear even in an interview with standardized three questions, which were answered by candidate and current mayor, Shilegov. The questions refer to green values, social justice and antinationalism.
Nevertheless, most of the candidates in the local elections responded positively to CIVIL’s invitation, for which the editorial office and organization express gratitude.
Election silence begins at midnight between October 29 and 30
Election silence begins tonight, at midnight, between Friday and Saturday, that is, between October 29 and 30.
The election silence lasts until 7.00 pm on the day of the voting (Sunday). This implies that spreading of propaganda, party agitation, vote-buying, campaigning and other violations to the Electoral Code are strictly prohibited.
What is election silence?
During election silence, reporting is made on the elections and the course of voting, but all forms of electoral media presentation stop.
According to the Electoral Code, Article 76-B, violation of the election silence includes broadcast or publish of any information, photographs, audio and audio-visual materials that are related to or feature election participants.
Furthermore, violation of election silence are also any forms of media reporting that are openly or covertly in favour of someone’s electoral campaign and can impact the voters’ decision.
Data that reveal the identity of the political entities and/or individuals involved in incidents or other irregularities on Election Day, as well as statements made by candidates in the election process, election campaign participants, political parties’ representatives and public office holders is also prohibited.
The media should be informed about what election silence is
The media that raged in election headquarters on October 16 and 17, with accusations that they are violating election silence, actually, were they themselves who were violating the election silence, according to Article 76-B, paragraph 3, by revealing the identity of political entities or of individuals.
Though they were not warned about this, nor were held responsible, CIVIL repeats the call to all political parties, media and civic entities to refrain from violating the election silence in any way, starting from midnight.
Violence in the campaign
CIVIL’s Monitoring Team notes several violent incidents during the election campaign. Given the strained pre-election atmosphere ahead of the second round and the more frequent attempts for “ironing out” differences with fists, we call on all political parties to call on their members and supporters to refrain from violence, threats and hate speech.
Black propaganda marked this election process as well
Black propaganda, unfortunately, marked this election process as well. With unabated fierceness, political opponents are treating each other like mortal enemies.
While it seems in vain, CIVIL, however, considers that it is necessary to make another loud call to all political entities and their supporters to refrain from hate speech and disinformation.
It is one thing to expose lies of the political opponent, it can be said that it is also in the interest of the public, but it is completely different to place insults and hate speech in the media and on the social networks.
On the social networks there are obviously well-organized attacks with hate speech and calls for violence against political opponents, threats of killings, slaughter, imprisonment and other gross expressions. In some of those attacks, even the very participants in the election race are involved, although most of the dirty work is performed by anonymous profiles or members and supporters of certain political parties.
Often, CIVIL and people who publically express their views, analyses or reports from the work of the organization are also a target of hatred and threats.
Zero tolerance for election irregularities
As always, CIVIL announces that it follows the principle: ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ELECTION IRREGULRITIES!
Any and even smallest form of irregularity and non-compliance to the laws and procedures is a violation to the right to vote and destroys the dignity of the election process. Therefore, all participants in the election process are called on to maximally respect the democratic standards and legal regulations and to contribute to free, fair and democratic elections.
The citizens of North Macedonia expect free, democratic and safe elections and a peaceful post-election period!
Reporting irregularities to CIVIL
CIVIL publically expresses its gratitude for the impeccable and dedicated work of all observers involved in the election monitoring. Once againmuch gratitude for the great number of messages from citizens from throughout the country, with which they express their trust and support to the organization.
Election irregularities such as pressure, vote-buying, abuses, problems with the Voters Register, violation of the election silence, hate speech, namely, everything that citizens believe is not in accordance to their understanding of free, fair and democratic elections, can be reported to CIVIL.
Reports can be submitted on the websiteslobodniizbori.info or in a Citizen application for which there is a banner on the internet portal civilmedia.mk.In addition, irregularities can be reported at the following email ([email protected]), in a message on CIVIL’s Facebook page or at the following telephone number: 02 / 5209 176.
Message to the election boards: All CIVIL observers are mobile
CIVIL in its monitoring, from the processed reports, notes as many as 76 cases with more than 200 polling stations across the country where the election boards, and in several cases also party observers – grossly obstruct the work of CIVIL’s observers.
All members of the election boards must respect the integrity and work of the observers and under no circumstances obstruct their work. We are here to help, we are not enemies!
CIVIL informs the members of the election boards to have in consideration that all of CIVIL’s observers are mobile. They remain a relatively short time at polling stations and can return as many times as needed and agreed with CIVIL’s coordination team.
CIVIL to the voters: Vote freely, you do not owe anyone anything
CIVIL calls on the citizens to vote freely, according to their belief. They do not owe anyone anything.
CIVIL calls on citizens to vote freely, according to their own belief. They do not owe anyone anything. Everything that parties and candidates promise them at any elections, actually, belongs to them, according to the Constitution and laws of the Republic of North Macedonia.
CIVIL observer
The second round of the voting will be observed by 284 accredited observers of CIVIL, like in the first round. During the voting, CIVIL will hold several press conferences at 10.00 am, 12.00 pm, 4.00 pm and 7.01 pm, as well as one or more extraordinary time periods.
CIVIL’s observers will have another online coordination meeting on Saturday, October 30, at 1.00 pm. After that meeting, there will be additional training for the new members of CIVIL’s communication and coordination center, which works in accord with the analytical and press center of the organization.
Xhabir Deralla in cooperation with CIVIL’s Monitoring Team
Camera: Atanas Petrovski
Realization and editing: Arian Mehmeti
Translation: N. Cvetkovska
