Macedonia holds polls crucial for EU bid
Monday, 23 March 2009
SKOPJE, Mar 22 (AFP): Macedonians began voting Sunday in presidential and local elections seen as crucial for the country's EU membership bid, amid tight security to prevent violence that has marred previous polls.
Almost 1.8 million eligible voters were to choose a new president with a five-year mandate, as well as mayors and councillors of major towns in this former Yugoslav republic.
Heavy snow, which has caused transport problems throughout the country since Friday, delayed the opening of some polling stations where local officials had been unable to deliver ballot papers.
Polling stations were to remain open until 7.00 pm (1800 GMT), with first preliminary results expected to be announced overnight.
Police patrols have been reinforced in regions where incidents occurred in previous polls. One person was killed and several wounded in gunbattles in unrest in ethnic Albanian areas during elections last June.
Some 8,500 police officers were given written instructions on how to act on election day and prevent violence at polling stations as a part of a special security plan drawn up by the interior ministry.
The authorities, presidential candidates but also international officials have appealed for violence-free elections that would be conducted in accordance with international standards and serve as a proof of the Balkans country's ability to organise free and fair polls.
European Union enlargement chief Olli Rehn says the elections are a "moment of truth" for Macedonia, which has yet to start EU accession talks four years after becoming an official candidate to join the bloc.
Almost 1.8 million eligible voters were to choose a new president with a five-year mandate, as well as mayors and councillors of major towns in this former Yugoslav republic.
Heavy snow, which has caused transport problems throughout the country since Friday, delayed the opening of some polling stations where local officials had been unable to deliver ballot papers.
Polling stations were to remain open until 7.00 pm (1800 GMT), with first preliminary results expected to be announced overnight.
Police patrols have been reinforced in regions where incidents occurred in previous polls. One person was killed and several wounded in gunbattles in unrest in ethnic Albanian areas during elections last June.
Some 8,500 police officers were given written instructions on how to act on election day and prevent violence at polling stations as a part of a special security plan drawn up by the interior ministry.
The authorities, presidential candidates but also international officials have appealed for violence-free elections that would be conducted in accordance with international standards and serve as a proof of the Balkans country's ability to organise free and fair polls.
European Union enlargement chief Olli Rehn says the elections are a "moment of truth" for Macedonia, which has yet to start EU accession talks four years after becoming an official candidate to join the bloc.