(MENAFN) Voters in North Macedonia went to the polls on Sunday for the second round of local elections, according to reports. Citizens are selecting mayors and city or town council members in 33 municipalities where no candidate secured the required 50% of votes in the first round.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) for over one million registered voters and will remain open until 7 p.m. (1800 GMT). The top two candidates from the initial round are competing for each position today.

In the capital, Skopje, voters are choosing between Orce Gjorgjievski of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) and Amar Mecinovic from the Levica Party. Meanwhile, elections in Gostivar, Vrapciste, Mavrovo-Rostuse, and Centar Xupa will be postponed due to insufficient voter turnout in the first round.

Nearly 1,600 accredited observers have been deployed to monitor the voting process.

During the first round on October 19, 44 of 81 mayors were elected. Thirty-two were from the ruling VMRO-DPMNE, five from its coalition partner VLEN alliance, four from the National Alliance for Integration (AKI), and three from the opposition Social Democratic Union (SDSM).

This year marks North Macedonia’s eighth local election since 1996, following the last cycle in 2021.

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