Presentation of Telephone Survey Results

The survey employed a quantitative approach, utilizing a Computer-Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) method to collect data from a national representative sample of 500 respondents aged 18 and older. The demographic structure of the respondents revealed a predominantly urban population, with 58.7% residing in urban areas and 41.3% in rural areas. Macedonians comprised the largest ethnic group, accounting for 70.2% of the respondents, followed by Albanians at 25.1%. The respondents' age distribution showed a slight majority in the 55-64 age group, with 21.7% of the total sample. The majority of respondents held secondary education, with 55.9% of the sample. The survey also explored the social and political context in Macedonia, with respondents expressing a predominantly negative perception of the country's direction. A significant 40.3% of respondents believed that Macedonia was moving in the wrong direction, while 30.6% thought it was moving in the right direction. Notably, there was a significant difference in perception among Macedonian and Albanian respondents, with 77.9% of Albanian respondents believing that Macedonia was moving in the wrong direction. Regarding the perception of the way elections are held in Macedonia, a substantial 47.3% of respondents believed that the elections were unfair and undemocratic. Conversely, 25.8% of respondents assessed the elections as partially fair and democratic, with certain manipulations. Only 16.6% of respondents believed that the elections in Macedonia were fair and democratic, without manipulation. The survey also revealed a correlation between age and perception of the country's direction. Respondents aged 65 and older were more likely to believe that Macedonia was moving in the right direction, with 44.3% of this age group holding this opinion. In contrast, respondents aged 35-44 years were more likely to believe that Macedonia was moving in the wrong direction, with 50.3% of this age group holding this opinion. The survey's findings suggest that the majority of respondents in Macedonia hold a negative perception of the country's direction and the way elections are conducted. These results may have implications for the State Election Commission and the broader political landscape in Macedonia.