This research is part of NDI’s Enhancing Electoral Integrity Program which helps strengthen the capacities of civil society and political parties to promote electoral integrity through monitoring, advocacy and reform. In North Macedonia, we aim to bolster the fairness of election processes through stakeholder deliberation.

The National Democratic Institute affirms that inclusive policy dialogue, based on empirical and credible research, is key to any electoral reform. We aim to present policy-makers with credible, scientific data to inform their decision-making. 

This research considers possible changes to the electoral model which arguably contributes to a more inclusive and citizen-driven parliament.  

North Macedonia’s Constitution states that members of parliament are citizen representatives that should vote their conscience (Article 62). And as the constitution prescribes, citizen representation is a cornerstone of representative parliamentary democracy.  

Yet, citizens in North Macedonia often feel overlooked by their elected representatives. Arguably, one of the root problems is the perception that MPs are accountable to party leaders because they decide which candidates are on the party lists, thereby reinforcing the perception that party leaders are “constituents of one” for their party’s MPs.  

The respondents in our focus group research conducted by the Institute for Sociological, Political and Juridical Research (ISPPI) highlight that the main arguments for supporting a change to the electoral model are: 

• increase of quality of the elected representatives;
• increase of the level of personal responsibility of the candidates and the elected representatives;
• democratization of the political parties; and, 
• decrease of the role of the party leaders by increasing the role of the voters in the selection of individual candidates.

Finally, when asked whether a change in the way MPs are elected could contribute to reducing the dependence of MPs from party leaders, half of the respondents agree that a change in the electoral model can contribute to reducing the dependence of the MPs on party leaders. This perception among the citizens is generally unchanged in the last three years. 

For citizens to be prioritized by MPs and their political parties, citizens need a greater stake in the electoral process.  

We welcome this common effort for citizens to have a greater stake in the electoral process and encourage policy dialogue to that end.