Skopje, 14 March 2023 (MIA) - Justice Minister Krenar Lloga called on all political parties to give their contribution and adopt the new Electoral Code by consensus. He expressed readiness that the president of the working group on the Electoral Code be at the proposal of the largest opposition party VMRO-DPMNE.

"My clearly defined goal is for the Electoral Code to be drafted ahead of the next elections, and guarantee legal certainty through an inclusive process by hearing the opinions of all political parties. Therefore, I call on all political parties to adopt the Electoral Code by consensus and establish the electoral rules. I urge VMRO-DPMNE as the largest opposition party to make its contribution and nominate its own member in the working group. I'm ready for the president of the working group to be nominated at their proposal," Lloga told a conference on Electoral Reforms in North Macedonia.

According to Lloga, the Electoral Code should be revised comprehensively and come into force at least six months before the elections.

"Do we need this reform? The answer is yes. The Electoral Code should come into force at least six months before the elections, so that institutions can prepare to smoothly implement the changes. In the latest report on the early parliamentary elections, the OSCE/ODIHR Special Election Assessment Mission made it clear that there are still a number of issues in the legal framework for elections that need to be addressed. The Electoral Code should be revised comprehensively in order to align it with other relevant laws, to be in accordance with the objectives of the OSCE, the international obligations and good practices," said Lloga.  

Lloga thanked NDI and all civil society organizations for their active participation in the reform processes that contribute to moving the country forward to the European Union, said the Justice Ministry. 

Photo: MIA archive