The first round of the presidential elections in North Macedonia has ended after polling stations across the country closed at 19:00 local time, reports BGNES.
A total of 1 814 317 people were eligible to vote in 3 480 polling stations. As of 17:00 the turnout was 42.35%.
There were seven head of state candidates - Stevo Pendarovski (SDSM), Gordana Siljanovska (VMRO-DPMNE), Stevcho Jakimovski (GROM), Bujar Osmani (DUI), Biljana Vankovska (Levica), Arban Taravari (Coalition of Albanian Opposition Parties "It's Worth It") and Maksim Dimitrievski (ZNAM).
The first results will become clear in the coming hours. The chairman of the State Election Commission (SEC), Aleksandar Dashevski, announced at a press conference that around midnight the winner will probably be known according to a 50% count of the ballots.
To win, the support of more than 50% of the voters is needed. If this condition is not met, there will be a second round, which will be held on 8 May together with the parliamentary elections.
A total of 942 observers, including foreign journalists and interpreters, monitored the vote.
The Ministry of the Interior reported that polling day passed without serious incidents or irregularities. By 17:00, 308 objections had been lodged with the DEC to protect personal voting rights. / BGNES
