EC calls for calm surrounding Macedonia's election appeals process

The State Election Commission (SEC) and Macedonian courts should be allowed to work without obstacles, pressure or political influence, European Commission spokesperson Maja Kocijancic declared on Monday.

According to Kocijancic, the European Commission had followed the preliminary results of the parliamentary elections on Dec. 11 and the complaints and was now awaiting the outcome of the appeals process.

On the other hand, she stressed the EC was very concerned over the tensions created in recent days and the rise of negative rhetoric surrounding the process.

The Commission urged all stakeholders to behave responsibly in order to strengthen citizens' trust in public institutions and democratic processes, Kocijancic said.

Kocijancic called on the government and the opposition in Macedonia to continue implementing previous political agreements in full, including supporting the work of the Special Prosecutors Office, media here said.

She also stressed that the European Union (EU) would continue to support the country in its reform process, with a view to its European integration path.

On the other hand, Macedonian media reported that deadline for submitting appeals to the Administrative Court regarding the decisions of SEC on complaints submitted by the parties about voting and tabulation expired late Sunday.

The Administrative Court should decide whether to allow the appeal within 48 hours. Endit