Media and Elections

Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of

ME037

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
Comments:	76a(5) During the election campaign, in the first and the second round of voting, the Public Broadcasting Service shall broadcast free political presentation of the participants in the election process, pursuant to the principles for balanced coverage of elections prescribed in Article 75-а of this Code. 75(a) (1) Broadcasters shall ensure balanced coverage of the elections in all forms of electoral presentation in the media in the following manner: a) For the elections for President of the Republic, in accordance with the principle of equality for all presidential candidates both in the first and the second round of elections; b) For the elections for Members of the Parliament of Republic of Macedonia, in accordance with the principle of proportionality based on the number of confirmed lists of candidates for Members of Parliament; and c) For the local elections: - For the election of Mayor of municipality, i.e. Mayor of the City of Skopje, in accordance with the principle of equality for all candidates for Mayors both in the first and second round of elections; - For the election of Members of Councils of the municipalities, i.e. Members of the Council of the City of Skopje, for broadcasters at the national and regional level in accordance with the principle of proportionality, based on the number of confirmed lists of candidates for Members of Councils of the municipalities or Members of the Council of the City of Skopje, whereas for broadcasters at the local level - in accordance with the principle of equality.
Source:	Electoral Code of the Republic of Macedonia including 2021 amendments, art. 76-a (5), 75(a): https://www.ifes.org/document/northmacedoniaelectoralcodeupdatesseptember2021pdf
Verified:	2024/11/20

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ME059

Television debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	a. Yes, in presidential elections b. Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:	76a(11) As of the day of calling the elections until the election silence, the Public Broadcasting Service is required to organize debates or hustings of the main ruling and opposition political parties, as well as of the other participants in the election process.
Source:	Electoral Code of the Republic of Macedonia including 2021 amendments, art. 76-a (11): https://www.ifes.org/document/northmacedoniaelectoralcodeupdatesseptember2021pdf
Verified:	2024/11/20

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ME062

Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	c. 4-5 days
Comments:	Article 77: (1) Opinion polls related to participants in the election process shall be published no later than five days before Election Day for the first and the second round of voting.
Source:	Electoral Code of the Republic of Macedonia including 2021 amendments, art. 77 (1)): https://www.ifes.org/document/northmacedoniaelectoralcodeupdatesseptember2021pdf
Verified:	2024/11/20

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ME080

Question:	Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:	The maximum amount for paid advertising is not indicated. However, the details of the advertisement, the additional time for advertising from the daily broadcasting time for the paid political advertisement and the equal prices for all the candidates are determined. Articles 75-a: (1)During the election campaign the broadcasters covering the elections can broadcast additional 15 minutes of advertising on every real hour broadcasted program, exclusively allocated for paid political advertising whereas only 10 minutes can be allocated to a single participant in the election campaign.
Source:	Electoral Code of the Republic of Macedonia including 2021 amendments, art. 75-a (1): https://www.ifes.org/document/northmacedoniaelectoralcodeupdatesseptember2021pdf
Verified:	2024/11/20

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