By signing the Code for Fair and Democratic Elections, the political parties today committed to a democratic election process in which fundamental human rights and freedoms will be respected, with the purpose of achieving transparent, inclusive and accountable elections.
This Code was signed by representatives of all political parties, participants in the upcoming elections.
First to sign were the representatives of the two largest political parties, Zoran Zaev and Vlado Misajlovski, followed by Fatmir Besimi and Bilal Kasami from DUI and BESA, Goran Milevski and Maja Morachanin from LDP and DOM, Zijadin Sela and Afri Gashi from the Alliance for Albanians and Alternativa. The Code was also signed by DPA, GROM, Democratic Party of Turks, Party for the Movement of Turks, Levica, Integra, PODEM, Bosniak Democratic Union, Union of Tito’s Left Forces and Green Humanitarian City.
The President of the State Election Commission, Aleksandar Dastevski, said the elections and other political processes are key to the quality of the management and that they can largely promote the long-term democratic development of the country, as well as the priorities, regional and global foreign policies, whereas the most fundamental principle that defines credible elections is the free expression of the people’s will.
-The approach to the election cycle shows elections as a continued integrated process composed of phases that have mutual influence and overlap each other, and not as a series of isolated events. To achieve real democratic elections, it is necessary to exercise basic human rights and freedoms without unnecessary or difficult restrictions. Not a single election process is perfect. They all require continuous improvement, but the extent to which the processes meet the standards will depend on the level of their credibility, said Dastevski.
He reminded that the electorate should be free, the electorate has to be properly informed, and the voting secret. At the same time, he pointed out that those who want to compete for political power peacefully, should have the right to freely associate in political parties and gain access to the ballot without discrimination.
As participants in the political elections, at the event that was held at the Members of Parliament Club, the media were also mentioned, for which Dastevski said they should be free and convey information on the participants in the elections and issues of political importance and cover all participants accurately, rightly and justly.
As for civil society organizations, the message was for them to participate in the election process through education of other citizens on the importance of free elections.
– In conditions of a global pandemic, life is going on according to modified rules, and the elections are no exception. The challenge to adapt to the new circumstances also applies to everyone in the SEC and other state institutions, participants in the elections, media, observers, citizens. This does not reduce our responsibility. On the contrary, we have an opportunity to take a more responsible approach also to the use of the rights and to the implementation of the obligations in order to be able to at the end congratulate ourselves on the successfully implemented elections that were democratic, credible and free, fair and with integrity, explained the President of the SEC.
The act of signing was organized by NDI, where they highlighted that this Code is of special importance in the fight for gender equality and combatting violence against women in politics.
-This Code is of special importance for gender equality in politics, as it is proof of the fight against violence against women in politics, and we are especially proud of that. After this move, it is up to the political parties to fight against hate speech and discrimination against women in politics, said Robert Scott Heaslet from NDI.
With today’s act, the participants in the local elections take responsibility to adhere to and actively promote the Code for Fair and Democratic Elections, to respect the principles of democracy and good governance and to contribute to the democratic development of society. In addition, they vowed that with their activities they will contribute to building trust in the electoral system of the Republic of North Macedonia.
Translation: N. Cvetkovska
