Helsinki Committee Statement on Macedonian Presidential Vote.
On 3 May, it was reported that the Macedonian Helsinki Committee issued a statement on 30 April saying that the 28 April presidential runoff did not take place in a fair and democratic atmosphere. According to the human rights NGO, voters were subjected to pressure, intimidation, and threats for the purpose of inducing voting. The Helsinki Committee said "during the campaign the freedom to vote was replaced with the duty to vote," adding that the head of the State Election Commission made similar statements. According to the Helsinki Committee, irregularities, including ballot stuffing and group voting, occurred on election day. (RFE/RL)
