The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) issued a final report on 8 July 2016 on the postponed early parliamentary elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which were scheduled for 5 June 2016. The final report assesses whether the electoral process and activities conducted before the postponement of elections were in line with OSCE commitments, other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, and with national legislation.  

While recognizing that 2015 amendments to the Electoral Code attempted to address most of the prior OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, the report notes that late changes negatively affected electoral stakeholders’ understanding of new provisions and impacted their ability to fulfil their functions. In addition, a number of previous recommendations remain to be addressed and legal inconsistencies eliminated. The report recommends conducting a complete review of the Code after consultations between all political stakeholders and relevant civil society organizations.  

As one of the priority recommendations, the report recommends the State Election Commission and the Ministry of Internal Affairs continue the process of updating the voter register through a co-ordinated effort ahead of the next elections. In order to increase the citizens’ confidence in the accuracy of voter registration, it also recommends that the process is transparent and ensures political parties and civil society access for verification.  

Noting that some measures to prevent intimidation and pressure on citizens were taken by authorities, it however mentions that a climate of intimidation persisted, attributed to a fear of retribution existing in state companies and institutions. The report recommends that authorities actively encourage citizens to report any cases of pressure and intimidation and thoroughly investigate such instances. 

While a number of aspects for the media coverage of election campaigns have been detailed in the Electoral Code, a need for continued substantial reform was highlighted. The report suggests amending the legal framework to further clarify the requirements for balanced reporting during the pre-campaign period.

Additional recommendations in the report include deciding on election-related cases within timely deadlines and harmonizing the Electoral Code with the Constitution, which provides for public hearings. It also recommends periodic review of district boundaries by an independent body to ensure the equality of the vote.

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He lived in asceticism in the wild hills outside Antioch. For forty-five years he had no tent or house of any kind, but wandered from place to place, living in caves or in clefts. In his old age, his disciples finally prevailed on him to build a small hut. Altogether he spent seventy years living in solitary ascesis.   Once a hunter met the recluse and asked him what he did in the mountains. The Saint answered 'Like you, I have come to the mountain to hunt. I am hunting for God, whom I long to see. I ardently desire to catch Him and will never tire of so excellent a chase!'   Once the people of Antioch rioted and tore down a pair of statues of the Emperor Theodosius and his wife. Two generals came from Constantinople, planning to inflict a bloody punishment on the people. Saint Macedonian, learning of this, came to the city and sought out the generals, asking them to take a message to the Emperor: that he, being human and subject to weakness like all men, should not be immoderately angry with other men; and that he should not, in return for the destruction of lifeless images, destroy those who are the very image of God.   During his lifetime Saint Macedonian was granted the gifts of spiritual insight and wonderworking, by which he worked many miracles of healing for the people of Antioch and its surroundings. He reposed in peace around 430, and was buried with honor in Antioch.

He lived in asceticism in the wild hills outside Antioch. For forty-five years he had no tent or house of any kind, but wandered from place to place, living in caves or in clefts. In his old age, his disciples finally prevailed on him to build a small hut. Altogether he spent seventy years living in solitary ascesis.   Once a hunter met the recluse and asked him what he did in the mountains. The Saint answered 'Like you, I have come to the mountain to hunt. I am hunting for God, whom I long to see. I ardently desire to catch Him and will never tire of so excellent a chase!'   Once the people of Antioch rioted and tore down a pair of statues of the Emperor Theodosius and his wife. Two generals came from Constantinople, planning to inflict a bloody punishment on the people. Saint Macedonian, learning of this, came to the city and sought out the generals, asking them to take a message to the Emperor: that he, being human and subject to weakness like all men, should not be immoderately angry with other men; and that he should not, in return for the destruction of lifeless images, destroy those who are the very image of God.   During his lifetime Saint Macedonian was granted the gifts of spiritual insight and wonderworking, by which he worked many miracles of healing for the people of Antioch and its surroundings. He reposed in peace around 430, and was buried with honor in Antioch.

Edinburgh : Printed for Hamilton and Balfour, Kincaid and Donaldson, and W. Gray., MDCCLVIII. [1758]

1 Ugandan Shilling = 0.015 Macedonian Denar

1 Salvadoran Colon = 6.4933 Macedonian Denar

1 Romanian Leu = 12.7603 Macedonian Denar

1 Ukrainian Hryvnia = 2.1174 Macedonian Denar

1 Tanzanian Shilling = 0.0246 Macedonian Denar

1 Venezuelan Bolivar Fuerte = 5.6898 Macedonian Denar

1 Yemeni Rial = 0.227 Macedonian Denar

1 Paraguayan Guarani = 0.0087 Macedonian Denar

1 Hong Kong Dollar = 7.3165 Macedonian Denar

1 Kuwaiti Dinar = 183.6968 Macedonian Denar

1 Saudi Riyal = 15.1286 Macedonian Denar

1 Tunisian Dinar = 19.5113 Macedonian Denar

1 South African Rand = 3.0967 Macedonian Denar

1 Norwegian Krone = 5.562 Macedonian Denar

1 Argentine Peso = 0.8549 Macedonian Denar

1 Moroccan Dirham = 5.7839 Macedonian Denar

1 US Dollar = 56.8268 Macedonian Denar

1 Icelandic Krona = 0.3886 Macedonian Denar

1 Kazakhstan Tenge = 0.1347 Macedonian Denar

1 Namibian Dollar = 3.0667 Macedonian Denar

1 Israeli New Sheqel = 16.2052 Macedonian Denar

1 Costa Rican Colon = 0.0999 Macedonian Denar

1 British Pound Sterling = 70.4993 Macedonian Denar

1 Omani Rial = 148.1999 Macedonian Denar

1 Honduran Lempira = 2.2703 Macedonian Denar

1 Australian Dollar = 37.132 Macedonian Denar

1 Chinese Yuan Renminbi = 8.033 Macedonian Denar

1 Hungarian Forint = 0.1759 Macedonian Denar

1 Philippine Peso = 1.1254 Macedonian Denar

1 Kenyan Shilling = 0.5358 Macedonian Denar

1 Latvian Lat = 93.9457 Macedonian Denar

1 Egyptian Pound = 3.6513 Macedonian Denar

1 Botswana Pula = 4.6793 Macedonian Denar

1 Bulgarian Lev = 31.4744 Macedonian Denar

1 Canadian Dollar = 40.5399 Macedonian Denar

1 Euro = 62.3418 Macedonian Denar

1 Mexican Peso = 2.4005 Macedonian Denar

1 Brazilian Real = 9.9134 Macedonian Denar

1 United Arab Emirates Dirham = 15.4709 Macedonian Denar

1 Sri Lanka Rupee = 0.3047 Macedonian Denar

1 Algerian Dinar = 0.4428 Macedonian Denar

1 Indonesian Rupiah = 0.0038 Macedonian Denar

1 Lithuanian Lita = 19.2454 Macedonian Denar