ADVANTAGES OF THE OPEN LIST SYSTEM

The open list system, on one hand, preserves the advantage of the majority systems in personal selection of candidates, and on the other hand is better than the closed list system because it gives more options from which the voters can choose. The candidates elected by this system are more motivated to fulfill their promises given to the electorate in order to differentiate themselves from other candidates. Also, they appear to be more sensitive towards electorate needs and requests.

The opportunity given to the citizens to vote for a specific candidate they like, and not for the list as a whole, can increase their belief that their vote is not wasted and that they have influence on the election of candidates, in the way that they can change the previous order of the list. This will contribute towards citizens perception about the electoral system as more fair and more legitimate, which will result in higher voters’ turnout in the elections – another problem of the election process in Macedonia, as well as in modern democracies in general.

The individual election of candidates can also increase the level of responsibility of the politicians, and will contribute to greater connection of the politicians with the electorate, which is another positive characteristic lacking in Macedonia. All this will lead to more positive perception of politicians by the electorate.

The open list system may also contribute to the engagement of professionals in politics who are not motivated to run for office within the current system, because they will be placed on the lower places on the lists. If the lists are open, this wouldn’t be an obstacle, on the contrary, party leaders would be motivated to select better candidates on the lists, from different regions and stratums of the population in order to bring more votes for their party.