Elections in April 24, 2016 will be held only if it is guaranteed that they will be fair and democratic, said SDSM leader Zoran Zaev to our correspondents at “Meta”.
According to him, firm guarantees for the conditions for democratic elections should be given by the State Election Commission. (SEC)
He says that only they are responsible, and only they can explain whether there is enough time in the period remaining until elections to complete all agreed matters between the political parties who are signatory to the Przhino Agreement or not.
“In the first half of January MEPs and Commissioner Johannes Hahn will be coming to Macedonia. Then representatives from all parties will have a meeting with him and decide if there is a chance of a fair process, then elections will be held. However, it is not just up to SDSM. We are only one of the parties in the whole process. But if there are firm guarantees that an agreement can be met and respected, we will participate in the elections”, Zaev told us.
He denies the pro-government media stories, that the party has already decided not to participate in elections.
“Well, we are the ones who wanted and fought for early elections. It is imperative, that they are fair and democratic, and without a renewed electoral roll, who can guarantee that? The SEC should say whether there is time to compare the data with the new software which they have to procure and do a field check-up for more than one million and 700,000 voters. The deadlines, however, regarding the media were missed a long time ago. According to all agreements, 100 days before the election, MRTV, the Agency for Media and MIA should be reformed. Is there time? Only legal deadlines for tenders and competitions last more than 30 days”, Zaev told “Meta”.
The President of the SDSM claims that the Ministries they manage are not yet equipped or staffed.
“Their cabinets have no personnel, which means they can not operate. Also, the Inquiry Commission which handles the scandal over the wire-tapped materials does not function. The Special Public Prosecutor is also not equipped. Many things are not arranged. How can one expect free and fair elections? SDSM will participate in the elections only if all these matters agreed to are met”, concludes Zoran Zaev in his conversation with “Meta”.
