"The Ministry of Justice this week will begin the process of approving the new Electoral Code, ie will continue the procedures from 2015 by the inter-ministerial working group," announced at a press conference the Minister of Justice Nikola Tupancevski.
The new Electoral Code will incorporate OSCE-ODIHR observations and consider the proposal for a constituency.
However, Tupancevski does not specify whether the new Electoral Code will mean a change in the electoral model, a requirement which was stated as a condition for the support of the government by the smaller coalition partners.
"The idea is for the Ministry to start the process of preparing the new Electoral Code, which will include the OSCE-ODIHR recommendations, but also the remarks of all stakeholders.
By the end of the week we will send a letter to the parties to participate in the preparation of the new Electoral Code, but also to the associations and non-governmental organizations involved in this issue.
We want the process to be transparent and inclusive because it is a highly sensitive substance.
Indications of the international factor are that the Electoral Code be adopted at least six months before the elections and that the principle of consensus be respected.
"The right to vote is not a decoration but a multidimensional character", said Tupancevski.
Regarding the proposal of the smaller parties to change the electoral model from six to one constituency, Tupancevski said that shortcomings have been identified in the Electoral Code, but will not talk about partial solutions.
"What the new Electoral Code will look like does not depend on me.
We plan for the chair of the working group not to be a party member, but an expert.
And what the model will be will depend on the working group, the solutions and proposals offered.
These are special changes, I am not sure they will be solutions for what the Ministry of Justice will offer.
If we go to the preparation of a new Electoral Code, it means that all the shortcomings that have been identified should be investigated.
"What is offered at the moment will be taken into account," said Tupancevski.