The campaign of political parties and other participants at the early parliamentary elections scheduled for June 5 officially kicked off Sunday midnight.

Parties, coalitions and independent candidates will promote their programs in the next 20 days, elaborating why they need the citizens' support.

Two largest coalitions, VMRO-DPMNE-led "For Better Macedonia" and the opposition SDSM-led one, begin the campaign in Ohrid, and Gostivar and Tetovo respectively. DUI launches activities in Skopje, DPA in Kondovo and Demokracia e Re in Kumanovo village Matejce.

The campaign will last until June 3 at midnight, followed by election silence prior to Election Day on June 5, when polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The voters can choose from 18 lists of candidates, confirmed by the State Election Commission (SEC).

Elections will be conducted according to the proportional model in six election districts in Macedonia and three for the Macedonian citizens living abroad.

About 1,8 million citizens have the right to vote.

Thirty political parties last week signed the Code of Conduct for Free and Fair Democratic Elections. Missions of the EU, NATO, OSCE and the US, as well as other domestic and international officials and organisations called for free, fair and democratic elections.

According to announcements, 332 OSCE/ODIHR representatives and 3,500 from civic association "MOST" will monitor the elections.