Skopje, 19 October 2025 (MIA) – The most common reports registered by the Public Prosecutor’s Office on election day relate to bribing voters and photographing ballots, said Xhelal Bajrami, head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office provisional commission charged with monitoring proceedings related to potential election-related criminal offenses. Bajrami said although the number of incidents was limited, prosecutor’s offices across the country immediately initiated procedures to address them.

“Generally, the incidents reported today involve photographing of ballots or possible voter bribery. These are the criminal offenses most actively pursued,” Bajrami said at a press conference on Sunday evening.

Allegations of vote-buying are being investigated in the village of Sogle, while two cases of phone-based voter influence are being handled by the Prosecutor’s Office in Kumanovo. In Skopje, two individuals were detained at a polling station in Chair for refusing to present identification documents, and two cases of photographing ballots were recorded in the Municipality of Gazi Baba. 

In Ohrid, based on operational intelligence from the Interior Ministry, three individuals were stopped in a vehicle containing Mden 2.000 banknotes and lists of voters.

“By order of public prosecutor, all circumstances of the case are being investigated. Officials will determine if this involves organized bribery or individual violations,” Bajrami said.

In Kichevo and Zhelino, prosecutors responded to media reports of potential violations of the election silence period, while in Makedonski Brod, a case is being examined involving irregularities in voting by a sick person.

In Tetovo, a case was registered involving a breach of vote secrecy after a photo of a ballot appeared on social media.

“Overall, we can assess that today’s vote passed peacefully from our perspective,” Bajrami added, stressing that the prosecutor’s offices remain vigilant and ready to respond to any signs of irregularities.

Photo: MIA