In favor of having fair, credible and democratic elections on 24 April, increasing the trust in the election process and preventing, disabling any pressure on citizens in terms of casting of their ballots at the elections, Macedonia's caretaker Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev sent Wednesday guidelines and a letter to all state, public office holders, urging them to provide for free exercising of the voting right.

In line with the Article 22 of Macedonia's Constitution, each citizen upon reaching 18 years of age acquires the right to vote, which is equal, universal and direct, and is exercised at free elections by secret ballot, Dimitriev says in his guide lines.

"All citizens should independently and freely express their will and any external influences or exerting of pressure on their decision will not be tolerated," the PM says.

The voting right is guaranteed by the Constriction and Macedonia's laws and nobody is allowed to call voters to account for casting of their ballots.

"Therefore I urge you to be cautious and to not allow in any way for your activities or work be interpreted as potential pressure on or intimidation of voters. The Republic of Macedonia has been nourishing a tradition of well-organized free and fair elections, acknowledged by all relevant institutions. We should keep on this road and advance the election process," Dimitriev says.

The Government and all of its institutions will 'decisively and adamantly' champion and apply these democratic principles, he adds.