Skopje, North Macedonia, Oct. 18, 2025 — The State Election Commission (SEC) has officially delivered its decision to annul the confirmed list of candidates for the City of Skopje Council submitted by the Turkish National Unity Movement (DNET).

According to the decision, all votes for the DNET list will be considered invalid, as one of the listed candidates, Bejneva Ljutviovska, was confirmed deceased.

The decision, dated October 18 and delivered to the party at 19:15, comes less than 24 hours before Election Day.

DNET representatives told CIVIL that they consider the timing “scandalous” and claim that the SEC acted without timely notification, preventing them from appealing the decision earlier.

The party announced it will take all available legal steps, has informed ODIHR representatives Polona Zajec and Yulia Manchin, and demanded the resignation of the Skopje Municipal Election Commission and a 14-day postponement of the elections.

CIVIL observes that the timing of the SEC’s decision may raise concerns regarding timely access to an effective remedy and equal treatment among electoral contestants.

CIVIL Election Monitoring Team