Today political parties failed to appear at an event called “5 minutes to 12,” where they were supposed to sign the Code for the prevention of violence during the parliamentary election of 2016 that was prepared by the Project “Prevention During the 2016 Elections”.
The project manager, Nelko Nelkovski said that the parties informed them that today they will not be able to sign the Code because they were busy with responsibilities regarding candidate lists for MPs.
“They asked us to submit the Code so they could sign it and then return it to us. Their explanation was that today is the last day for the registration of the lists of candidates for MPs and they did not have time to sign the Code”, Nelkovski said.
The Code consists of five principles: peace, non violence, communication, cooperation and positive action.
“Parties Parties who sign are obliged to respect the Code for a peaceful electoral process in the upcoming parliamentary elections on December 11, in the period before the elections, during the campaign, election day and after the elections and reject and condemn any violence. In addition, they are obliged to share information of importance to the citizens involving the parliamentary elections, as well as cooperation with state institutions, political parties, NGOs and international organizations involved in the electoral process in order to prevent violence in the upcoming elections”, said Nelkovski.
He stressed that the signatories of the Code will be committed to positive behavior, to take care of life, health and the safety of citizens involved in the electoral process during the implementation of all party activities.
Today at the conference, they only presented the Code and its meaning.
Political parties sign the Code of nonviolence before each election process. However, it does not prevent them from working and operating their populist work arrangements and their own beliefs, and if times are violent. This year, however, the electoral process will be under increased supervision, which leaves less room for violence.
