Macedonia Prosecution Probes Local Election Fraud Claims

The prosecution confirmed on Wednesday that it is taking seriously allegations made by the main opposition VMRO DPMNE party and its leader Nikola Gruevski of wiretapping and election fraud place during the ongoing local election process.

"Actions are being taken which are currently at a pre-investigation phase," the prosecution told 24 Vesti TV in a statement.

It said that it has received several complaints from political parties which it did not name due to the secrecy of the pre-investigation procedures.

The prosecution is taking action after right-wing VMRO DPMNE leader Gruevski accused the Social Democrat-led government of massive "fabrication" of the election results, saying the results in the first round were more characteristic of undeveloped African countries.

Gruevski said this after suffering a heavy defeat during the first round that took place in October 15, despite the fact that the international monitors from OSCE/ODIHR assessed the voting as fair and democratic. 

He also claimed that there had been a lot of pressure on voters before the second round of voting slated for Sunday, and claimed that the government has spent some 20 million euro on election bribery.

"Who has an interest in investing so much money for this criminal and traitor [Social Democrat Prime Minister Zoran Zaev] to remain in government and to even claim victory at these elections?" Gruevski was cited by local media as saying at a party rally on Tuesday in Ljubash, near the town of Kavadarci.

Gruevski also claimed that each day of the campaign, his party receives new, specific data of this alleged bribery, which it reports to the authorities.

He alleged however that "there is no reaction" to the party's reports.

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