Some State Election Commission (SEC) members found Nikola Gruevski's proposal for active registration of voters acceptable. This possibility was discussed during the summer among the work groups of the four parties when talking about the changes to the Electoral rulebook. Subhi Jakupi, SEC member, believes that the basic task is to ensure credible electoral roll and elections, and the active registration allows that.
"This proposal has been discussed during the work groups' meetings regarding the changes to the Electoral law, but it was not adopted. I do not know the reason behind it, maybe it was not elaborated enough, or maybe the parties were afraid voters will not go register. The main goal is to create a credible electoral roll. The active registration would allow 100 percent credibility and trust. This idea is not bad and should be reconsidered," Jakupi said.
During the negotiations, some party sources have commented that SDSM and DUI have been against active registration. SDSM has been against it because it has very little support of citizens, and believes a very small number will register to vote, the majority of its traditional voting body.
DUI, on the other hand, believes that its voters that are temporarily working abroad will not be able to come to their motherland and register, and that for them it would only imply additional expense and time.
But, the proposal Gruevski made Friday, offers the chance for them to register in the embassies or consulates, and if there is will, this activity can be done.
"The registration, apart from Macedonia, would be available in all Macedonian embassies in the world, so we would allow the diaspora, including those who are unable to return to Macedonia during the summer, when they mostly return, to register in the embassy or consulate, sign where they would vote, in Macedonia, or the country they live in, or stay," stated Gruevski in his exclusive interview with Telegraf.mk.
Commissioner Johannes Hahn has given an idea for the international body to revise the electoral roll prior to elections, in order to provide better credibility.
"We are looking for a way to form an independent and credible structure on a European level which can check the quality of the electoral roll before election day, and to give green light for the credibility of the electoral process," the Commissioner said.