AJM: Ensure Respect and Unhindered Work of Media Workers at Voting Stations

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) calls on the State Election Commission (SEC), the Municipal Election Commissions, and the Ministry of Interior to continue ensuring unhindered access and proper working conditions for journalists and media workers at all voting stations. Professional, timely, and accurate reporting on the election process is essential for maintaining public trust in the elections.

This morning, AJM received several reports of interference with the work of media crews:

• Skopje: Municipality of Karposh (Voting Station 2626) – Journalist Elida Zulbeari experienced an attempt to have her mobile phone taken away and was subjected to inappropriate behavior by the deputy chairperson of the election board. The incident required intervention by the Ministry of Interior, and AJM will request the State Election Commission (SEC) to impose sanctions against the official involved.
• Ohrid (Voting Station 1270): A crew from the public broadcaster was denied access in the early morning hours on the grounds that, in addition to a press ID, they must also have an “SEC accreditation.” Following the colleagues’ reaction and on-site intervention, access was granted and their work continued.
• Tetovo: A journalist was prevented from taking a statement by members of the election board, citing a “lack of accreditation.”

AJM urgently calls on the SEC and the Ministry of Interior to immediately inform all election boards and officials that journalists do not require accreditation from the SEC, in order to prevent further misunderstandings throughout the day. We will continue to monitor these cases, respond institutionally, and report on the outcomes.

We emphasize that in North Macedonia, journalists and media workers are not required to obtain any special accreditation from the SEC to be present and report from voting stations. A valid press ID issued by the media outlet they represent is sufficient. Therefore, election boards, police officers, observers, and/or other actors have no grounds to condition or restrict their work with additional permits.

At the same time, AJM calls for respect of the election procedures and order: journalists have the right to record general footage and conduct interviews, as long as they do not violate the secrecy of the vote or obstruct the voting process.

We call on all election boards at voting stations to:

• Allow unhindered entry of media crews displaying visible press identification;
• Permit filming and interviews in areas where this does not compromise the secrecy of the vote;
• In case of uncertainty, first seek guidance from the Municipal or State Election Commission rather than restricting access.

We also encourage journalists, photographers, and camera operators to:

• Always carry and present their press ID when requested;
• Follow the board’s instructions when they relate to maintaining voting secrecy;
• In case of any obstruction, immediately record the incident (time, place, polling station, persons involved) and report it to AJM.

For legal or practical assistance, journalists, cameramen, and photographers may contact AJM’s regional coordinators in Shtip, Strumica, Bitola, Ohrid, Tetovo, and Kumanovo, as well as AJM’s contacts in Skopje.

AJM remains available to provide any support necessary to ensure professional, safe, and unhindered reporting from voting stations.