The State Audit Office, with support from the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the Swiss Programme for Electoral Support in North Macedonia, implemented by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), is organizing a conference today on the topic “Financial Accountability in Elections,” taking place at the “Holiday Inn” hotel in Skopje.
The conference aims to present key findings from audit reports related to the financing of the presidential and parliamentary elections conducted in 2024, and to initiate a discussion on improving institutional preparedness and transparency in election campaign financing, particularly in the run-up to the 2025 local elections.
At the opening of the conference, addresses were given by Ambassador Kilian Wahl, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, and the Ambassador of Switzerland, H.E. Véronique Hulmann. Ambassador Wahl emphasized that transparency and accountability are essential for fair elections and that the OSCE will continue supporting the strengthening of institutional capacities. Ambassador Hulmann stressed that transparent financing is the foundation of democratic processes and that the public deserves a clear insight into how funds are spent on election campaigns.
During the first session, moderated by Ms. Joanna Kozma, IFES Country Director, the Auditor General, Mr. Maksim Acevski, and the Assistant Auditor General, Ms. Katerina Čaloska-Aleksovska, presented the findings from audits conducted on the financial statements of political parties and election campaigns from 2024.
“The prepared individual and consolidated final audit reports continue to point to the need for action to overcome systemic weaknesses in the Electoral Code. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to greater accountability, transparency, and trust in the electoral process, and this forum is a platform for exchanging experiences, ideas, and initiatives for future improvements,” stated Mr. Acevski, Auditor General.
The second session focused on institutional activities and preparedness for the upcoming local elections, where discussions were held on protecting electoral integrity, oversight of campaign financing, and addressing challenges in media campaigning. Representatives from the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, the State Election Commission, and the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services delivered remarks.
Through active discussion, participants agreed that stronger oversight mechanisms, better inter-institutional coordination, and clear rules are necessary to ensure transparent election campaigns.
The conference is attended by representatives from key national institutions, the international community, and organizations supporting electoral reform. The organizers emphasized that the conclusions from the event will contribute to more accountable and transparent electoral processes, in the interest of citizens and the democratic development of the country.
