How much will the introduction of new technologies in the electoral process restore voter confidence?
The State Election Commission today at an expert roundtable titled “The application of new technologies in the electoral processes”, with representatives of IFES, OSCE/ODIHR, NGOs and representatives of the ministries and competent bodies for implementing elections, discussed the possibility of introducing electronic voting, the security and experiences of such principle of voting in other countries, the biometric verification of elections and automation of the electoral process.
“We decided on this step with the purpose of improving the electoral process itself. It is clear to us that it cannot be done immediately and quickly and for the next upcoming elections. But it is also clear to us that we need to start already…In Republic of Macedonia it can be concluded that in the recent period, depending on the electoral cycles, in the reports we received from the OSCE/ODIHR Mission, it can be noticed that there is constant progress in the organization and implementation of the elections, but there are still remarks for which we need to try to eliminate and to reduce the possibility for abuse by anyone in the very election process”, stated Oliver Derkoski, in the introductory address, stressing that the SEC is just one factor in the implementation of the elections.
Maximum support from Parliament for the Law on prevention of corruption and conflict of interests
With enormous support of 81 MPS in Parliament, the new, ten-month awaited Law on prevention of corruption and conflict of interests was passed. Before the voting there were sharp accusations among the VMRO-DPMNE MPs and their former fellow party members who are now functioning as an independent group. There was also criticism directed to SDSM for the ten-month delay of this law.
Convict who attacked Sela has also escaped
Nikola Vojminovski, sentenced to 13 years in prison for the attack on MP Zijadin Sela has escaped, which was also confirmed by the Basic Court Skopje 1.
After receiving the notification, the Criminal council of the Basic Court Skopje 1 – Skopje, brought a decision with which detention is ordered for the accused, that is, deprivation of his liberty, and at the same time an order has been issued for issuing an internal and international arrest warrant – is said in the court announcement.
SGS will be securing the Archeological Museum of Macedonia
Security Group Services (SGS) has won the tender in the amount of 113.000 euros for securing the Archeological Museum of Macedonia. The Security Agency had been the only participant in the tender for a period of one year, where the lowest offered price had been the condition for winning the tender.
This is not the only tender for SGS. Last month, this agency won a tender for securing the Holocaust Memorial Center for the Jews of Macedonia, in the amount of 24.000 euros. In addition to these two institutions, SGS is also securing the AEC, the general hospital in
Veles, the schools and kindergartens in the Municipality of Aerodrom, as well as a large part of the “Skopje 2014” project.
A transgender person from Macedonia wins a case in Strasbourg
The Coalition MARGINS today in the Court in Strasbourg received a positive judgement in the case “X against Macedonia”, where the Court determined that the existing legal framework has gaps and serious shortcomings that have led the transgender person into a situation of stress and uncertainty in the recognition of his gender identity.
Following the decision of the Court in Strasbourg, Macedonia has an obligation to pass a law that will enable transgender persons a fast, transparent and accessible procedure for legal recognition of the gender.
Deputy Prime Minister Bujar Osmani signs first bilingual documents
Osmani expects the Law on languages to be applied with difficulties at the beginning, but he is convinced that with time it will be regulated. Today Osmani signed the first bilingual documents, and on Saturday an action plan will be prepared with concrete deadlines. The institutions will have to prepare themselves logistically, and a letter has been sent to donor community for giving assistance in regards to the experience of the countries that are bilingual or trilingual.
Government of Tsipras wins confidence vote with 151 votes “for”
The Government of Republic of Greece, led by Alexis Tsipras, last night with 151 votes “for” won the confidence vote from the Parliament.
145 MPs from SYRIZA, four independent MPs and two from Independent Greeks voted in favor. All MPs from the opposition parties – New Democracy, Movement for Change, Golden Dawn, REKA, Union of Centralists and the Communist Party of Greece voted against.
Following the confidence won from the Parliament, a vote is expected of the MPs for the ratification of the Prespa Agreement.
#Perspectives2019
CIVIL Media has continued with the publication of a series of interviews and texts with which it recapitulates the political and social reality of the year that has passed, and is trying, through conversations with selected experts and public figures to reveal the perspectives for 2019.
Before the public is the new series “Perspectives 2019”, in which for now you can look at the views of Rozeta Trajan, Мirjana Maleska, Меrsiha Smailovik, Мirjana Najcevska, Husein Ademi, Маrta Gusar, Faton Aliti, Sashko Poposki, Saso Ordanoski, Аrianit Xhaferi, and Аkif Kariman.
А. Petrovska
