Polls closed in North Macedonia with a participation rate of 49%, or around 846,000 eligible voters.

The ethnic Albanian parties, namely BDI, Besa, Alternative, and the Alliance for Albanians, formed a multiethnic coalition with Macedonian parties.

North Macedonia rolled out the counting process approximately two hours after the polls closed.

BDI is on the lead in Dibra, Struga and Gostivar,

Citizens have their eyes on the outcome of the polls in Tetova, where the voting process has not started yet.

00:35 – Albanian-majority municipalities to face runoff

All municipalities that have a majority of ethnic Albanian citizens in North Macedonia, including Tetova, will be holding runoffs, according to the most recent results. BDI has secured victory in three small municipalities, namely Lipkova, Saraj, and Plasnica.

22:35 – Narrow race in Dibra

The candidates of the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI) and the Coalition for Albanians are almost neck-to-neck in the municipality of Dibra.

With 25% of ballots counted, BDI’s Hekuran Duka has secured 48% of the votes, while Bekim Pocesta from the ethnic Albanian coalition parties is at 46%.

22:30 – Ali Ahmeti announces victory

The chair of the Democratic Union for Integration, Ali Ahmeti, has proclaimed victory during a press conference.

He noted that the party has widened its support, adding that it is also leading in municipalities with an ethnic Albanian predominant majority.

22:10 – Race gets tough among Albanians in Tetova

As ballots are being counted in Tetova the race is getting tighter for ethnic Albanian parties, with Teuta Arifi (BDI) still on the lead with around 26%. Coming in second is Bilal Kasami from “Besa Movement” with 22% of the votes. In the third place is Vullnet Murseli from the Coalition for Albanians and Alternative (12%).

21:45 – Counting begins in Tetova

BDI candidate Teuta Arifi is leading the polls by 43% in Tetova as counting began.  Coming in second is Vullnet Murseli from the Coalition for Albanians and Alternativa.

21:35 – VMRO-DPMNE proclaims victory

The chair of – VMRO-DPMNE, Hristijan Mickoski, took it to social media to proclaim victory at the local polls.

“The citizens are determined. Hope has risen. For every person in North Macedonia. Together for a new future. Victory and great responsibility. Thank you to the Macedonian people”, he wrote.

21:15 – LSDM pretends of a landslide victory

The party in power, LSDM claimed positive results in its first appearance to the press after polls closed.

The party’s general secretary Ljupco Nikolovski declared that a preliminary count pointed out that LDSM is leading on all municipalities where it is running for.

He also expressed confidence of a “landslide victory” in all municipalities, “reinstating the result from four years ago”.

21:00 – VMRO-DPMNE point to irregularities during the elections

North Macedonia’s main opposition party VMRO-DPMNE claimed by the end of the voting process of potential irregularities.

In a press conference, party representatives complained that the government had been involved in  “corruptive activities” during the polls.

However, VMRO-DPMNE added that it hoped to see a better result and a higher participation rate at the second round of the polls for the respective municipalities where results were inconclusive.