Skopje, 4 March 2024 (MIA) – The President of the State Election Commission (SEC), Aleksandar Dashtevski, said Monday that the Commission is proposing the introduction of a transitional provision in the Electoral Code that would enable citizens who have unexpired documents bearing the country’s old name to vote at the coming elections.

“As SEC, we have submitted a proposal to Parliament – to amend the Electoral Code and include a transitional provision only for these elections, which would make unexpired documents bearing the country’s old name valid for the elections as well, so that all citizens can vote. Whether this will be adopted or not is up to the Parliament,” said Dashtevski.

Regarding citizens who are about to turn 18, Dashtevski said they can apply to be included in the electoral roll.

Earlier on Monday, Abdush Demiri was sworn in as the seventh member of the Commission, filling up the vacant slot which had been empty since former member Krenar Lloga became Minister of Justice. The new SEC member was proposed by the opposition coalition of the parties of ethnic Albanians.

Dashtevski said he believes Demiri will carry out his tasks responsibly and professionally.

“In my previous statements I was optimistic, and I was certain that the member would be elected, so the composition of the Commission has been completed with seven members and there is no room for any manipulations that could cause doubts,” said Dashtevski.

Demiri vowed to carry out his tasks in line with the Electoral Code.

“After a long process that lasted a year, the Albanian opposition is finally receiving its representative in the Commission. We don’t know why this process was stalled, even though the position was legally reserved for the opposition parties of ethnic Albanians,” said Demiri.

Photo: MIA