SEC Rulebooks are an opportunity for restoring trust in electoral processes!

Having in consideration the main goals that need to be accomplished with the checking of citizens’ data, the statistical analysis and cross-checks of the data in the Voters register, goals that have been clearly defined and determined with the agreed Rules on the methodology for updating the Voters register (based on checks and statistical analysis, cross-checks on different databases and records, unlimited on-site checks and other appropriate and recognized methods for verifications), for the upcoming electoral process (the early parliamentary elections 2016) the most important thing is to have proper and full application of the adopted rulebooks- The Rulebook on the methodology for updating the Voters register and the Rulebook on the methodology for full access, changes and deletion of data in the Voters register (as well as the procedure for conducting on-site inspection to update it).

By: Sandra Gavrilovska

The established Methodology for technical cross-checks and statistical analysis of different databases and records for checking the Voters register, as well as the anticipated / planned (with the rulebooks) updating, more precisely, recording, supplementing and deletion of citizens data contained in the Voters register, implies absolute conscientious and responsible working of the state organs involved in the electoral process (The Ministry for Internal Affairs, The Ministry of Justice, namely the Office for Management of Registers and the Directorate for Execution of Sanctions within the Ministry, basic courts and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy).

In that context, from the operations of the competent state organs and the assumed compliance and fulfillment of their legal obligations (in the sense of transparency, cooperation, availability of information and staff, comprehensiveness and updating of records and etc.), depends the level of risk of the correct and full implementation of the legal acts-laws and rulebooks related to the election process. Among other things, and above all, because of the lack punitive provisions for holding responsible all competent state organs (and their authorized persons) that shall fail to meet their legal obligations and / or shall act contrary to the existing legal provisions of the Electoral Code and the adopted rulebooks.

But of course, the correct and full implementation of the Electoral Code and the adopted rulebooks on the methodology for updating the Voters register, as well as the methodology for full access, changes and deletion of data in the Voters register, is an opportunity to restore the lost confidence that Macedonian citizens have in election processes.

(The author is a lawyer, member of the expert team of CIVIL - Center for Freedom)