Skopje, 2 November 2025 (MIA) - Voter turnout in Sunday’s local elections runoff stands at 2.88% until 9 am, with 22,379 citizens having voted, the State Election Commission (SEC) head Boris Kondarko said at a press conference.

“Polling stations opened on time and voting is proceeding smoothly. There have been no issues so far with election materials or electoral boards,” Kondarko said.

Voter turnout in the City of Skopje was 2.46%. By municipality, by 9 am, the highest turnout was in Probishtip at 9.5%, followed by Lozovo 8.36%, Rankovce 8.12%, Demir Kapija 7.16%, Dojran 6.78%, Rosoman 6.28%, Zrnovci 5.67%, Brvenica 5.33%, Chucher-Sandevo 5.32%, Makedonska Kamenica 5.01%, Makedonski Brod 4.97%, Debarca 4.63%, Negotino 4.52%, Valandovo 4.46%, Mogila 4.39%, Dolneni 3.87%, Kochani 3.13%, Tetovo 2.51%, Studenichani 2.26%, Kumanovo 2.13%, Bogovinje 1.83%, and Debar 1.45%.

In the Skopje municipalities, turnout was 3.54% in Kisela Voda, 3.08% in Karposh, 2.78% in Aerodrom, 2.84% in Centar, 2.50% in Butel, 2.42% in Gjorche Petrov, 2.26% in Gazi Baba, 1.6% in Shuto Orizari, 1.1% in Chair and 0.72% in Saraj.

He reported a short delay at polling station 0385 in Dojran due to a technical problem with a biometric identification device, which has since been resolved and voting continues normally.

In response to a journalist’s question about report of violations of the election silence, Kondarko said no official complaint has been filed. After voting concludes, the SEC will disclose its findings and any legal measures it may take.

Kondarko said that during the day, SEC members will visit selected polling stations and municipal election commissions without prior notice to observe the voting process.

After 7 pm, SEC teams will also be present at some locations to monitor the vote count for greater transparency.

The SEC maintains its recommendation that the full electoral board may be present during vote counting.

The commission remains in constant contact with the Public Prosecutor’s Office election monitoring committee and will report any issues during voting or counting. Confidential election materials will be provided if required.

Out of a total of 4,826 sick or infirm people eligible to vote in the second round of local elections, 3,327 had cast their ballots on Saturday, the SEC head said. 588 out of 1,256 persons serving sentences or in pre-trial detention had exercised their right to vote. Additionally, 125 of the 214 individuals residing in non-family facilities had cast their votes. The vote count will be conducted today once voting ends at the other polling stations.

In Sunday’s local elections runoff, voters are casting ballots for mayors in 32 municipalities and in the City of Skopje at 1,771 polling stations. By 7 pm, a total of 1,013,375 citizens are eligible to vote, including 474,304 voters in the City of Skopje.

The next press conference of the State Election Commission (SEC) is scheduled for 11:30 am. The unofficial preliminary results will be released after 8 pm, followed by another press conference around 11 pm.

Photo: MIA