Skopje, 16 August 2025 (MIA) - The Parliament on Saturday decided to fast-track amendments to the Electoral Code, which, among other, regulate the participation of independent candidates in the upcoming local elections. Under the amendments, to nominate lists of MP candidates of a group of voters, instead of 1 percent, it is necessary to collect signatures from at least 0.95 percent of the total number of voters registered in the relevant electoral unit. 

In addition, under the amendments, to nominate lists of MP candidates of a group of voters from electoral units for voting abroad, it is necessary to collect at least 1,000 signatures from the total number of voters registered in those electoral units before the officials of the diplomatic and consular offices, on a form specified by the State Election Commission. 

After MPs set the agenda of the session, with this bill being the only item, Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi tasked the Committee on Political System and Inter-Community Relations and the Legislative Committee to hold sessions reviewing the amendments, which would then be put up for vote at a plenary session to be additionally scheduled during the day.

The amendments were proposed by VMRO-DPMNE MP Nikola Micevski, ZNAM MP Boban Karapejovski, and Vlen coalition MP Saranda Imeri Safai. Sixty-five MPs voted in favour of adopting the bill under a fast-track procedure, while 17 were against, and there were no abstentions. SDSM MPs present at the session backed the adoption of the amendments under a fast-track procedure, whereas European Front MPs and other opposition MPs from the Albanian bloc were against. 

"With this bill, we are trying to fill the legal gap following the Constitutional Court decision rescinding Articles of the Electoral Code that regulated the number/percentage of signatures to nominate lists of a group of voters, in order to introduce certain clear rules for signature collection in nominating mayors and councillors of a group of voters so that the conditions are fair and equal in each municipality. This is an attempt for clear, fair and transparent election rules for these elections. I'd like to point out and announce that this is a temporary solution for these elections, and that work on the final Electoral Code will involve the Ministry of Justice, all relevant political structures, political parties, non-governmental organizations and experts to bring a long-term and sustainable solution," Micevski said elaborating on the bill.

The proposed bill also defines online news portals in accordance with the Law on Media, which, according to him, would also regulate the registration of online media in paid and political advertising.

"As the process of submitting applications to the State Election Commission has begun, and there are certain reactions from this type of media, we will also intervene with an amendment for the same provision to be valid from the 11th of 2026. With this, we can allow all online media participating in paid political advertising in these elections to have equal rights and conditions and to be regulated later," said the coordinator of the VMRO-DPMNE parliamentary group. 

The proposed bill also aligns with the Law on Organization and Work of State Administration Bodies. 

Previously, the State Election Commission at a session last Saturday passed a conclusion revoking the 2024 handbook regulating the signature collection procedure according to the Electoral Code. The handbook, according to SEC head Boris Kondarko, was revoked as a result of the Constitutional Court decision rescinding Articles 61 and 62 of the Electoral Code, which regulated the number/percentage of signatures to nominate lists of a group of voters.

Photo: print screen