The presidential and local elections in Macedonia are being carried out in a peaceful atmosphere. Turnout by 17.00 hrs was 48.73 percent, or 788,147 voters, and was higher compared to the general elections of last year, said Aleksandar Novakovski, president of the State Election Commission, at the press conference at 18.00 hrs.
Novakovski said the electoral commission from the municipality of Ilinden sent an announcement to the State Election Commission, contradicting the reports of certain media that police had to intervene at a local polling station.
Because of the bad weather voting was hindered altogether in certain high mountainous regions. According to the official statistics, 12,556 voters could not vote for this reason. They will therefore exercise their right to vote in the second election round.
The civil association Most said there were election irregularities at 16 polls.