North Macedonia to elect president
Voters go to the polls in North Macedonia this week for the first round of the presidential election – the seventh such vote since the small landlocked Balkan country gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991.
Seven candidates are vying for the largely ceremonial position in Wednesday’s vote. With more than 50% of the country’s 1.8 million registered voters needed for an outright win, the contest is almost certain to head to a second round, which will be held on May 8 along with parliamentary elections. Turnout must be at least 40% in the second round for the result to be valid.
The brief campaigning period has focused on North Macedonia’s progress toward joining the European Union, the rule of law, fighting corruption, combating poverty and tackling the country’s sluggish economy.
Election silence begins at midnight tonight
In North Macedonia, the election silence will begin from 00:00 tonight.
The Agency for Audiovisual and Audiovisual Media Services (AVMU) reminded that the election campaign for the first round of the 2024 Presidential Election ended today, i.e. the election silence began at midnight and will last until 19.00 on 24 April.
The AVMU notes that on 23 and 24 April (until 19.00 p.m.), the broadcasting of news and special information programmes on media coverage of participants in election campaigns for both the presidential and parliamentary elections was suspended.
"During this period, it is allowed to broadcast free political presentations and paid political advertisements of participants in the election campaign for the parliamentary elections," the AVMU said in a statement.
At the same time, the broadcasting of the State Election Commission's (SEC) educational advertising campaign for the 2024 elections is allowed during the days of election silence.
It was emphasised that the agency expects all broadcasters to adjust their programmes to the election silence as of midnight tonight.
AP-TB