It’s less than 24 hours since Macedonia chose to send Daniel Kajmakoski and his song “Lisja Esenski” to Eurovision 2015, but already their decision is mired in controversy.

According to Macedonian website vest.mk, the police have been called in to investigate voting fraud. A number of locations across Skopje were searched after the show, resulting in the seizure of over 1,000 phone cards. The Ministry for Internal Affairs has confirmed that several individuals have been interviewed in connection with the matter, including owners of the show’s production company and songwriters. The Ministry is due to announce further details at a later stage.

As of now, it is unclear whether this will have any impact on the original results. There is also no suggestion that Daniel Kajmakoski, or any other contestant benefited from the alleged fraud.

Update at 22:30 CET on November 13: Kurir reports that police have identified “four people suspected of criminal association and computer fraud in connection with the results for the first three places in Skopje Fest selection for Eurovision song.” Police have reportedly identified 14 people who were hired to send messages during the voting. Authorities have also seized 2,500 SIM cards. We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ALL OF OUR MACEDONIA EUROVISION 2015 NEWS HERE.

Photo: Screenshot via Youtube

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Alex
Alex
9 years ago

Again, guys, let’s not put too much stock in Kurir, the paper that falsely reported homophobia on the part of Esma and Lozano.

I did enjoy Tamara’s performance more than the winner’s, actually. She sang with conviction, and a little bit of soul. And that particular performance makes me want to give props to FYR Macedonia for selecting its entry in a national selection with orchestra backing.

Calvin
Calvin
9 years ago

Oh dear. This update has me a bit worried for the possibility of Tamara eventually being the representative after the scandal.

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

@Padraig, Thanks for the live stream last night. The show was good but the standard of songs was very poor, I won’t deny that.

Calvin
Calvin
9 years ago

Sorry. “Just cancel the SMS votes” should be “just cancel the fraudulent SMS votes” in my comment.

Calvin
Calvin
9 years ago

PP – I have a feeling that that’s what they’ll do; they’ll probably either do that, nothing, or just cancel the SMS votes. A part of me hopes that Tamara emerges from this as the representative, but this is only because she was my favorite.

Aaron
Aaron
9 years ago

If they do send Tamara to Vienna instead it will be OK I guess. She was second best after Daniel.

PP
PP
9 years ago

Cancel sms vote and send Tamara Todevska winner of juries voting to Vienna .

Deniz@TurkNL
Deniz@TurkNL
9 years ago

I really hope the don’t change the song. This is actually something I would vote for.

Mavision
Mavision
9 years ago

@Bavarson, if I was on the jury Tamara would have got my 12 by a mile, watched every performance via live stream, as I know many others who watched would too. I didn’t actually know who she was till last night, wiped from my memory. She had light and shade in her voice, and gave the song emotion. Daniel’s has an awesome chorus, but for me the verses were weak. Not to mention the dodgy dad dancing! 😀 :O Lol It’s really sad that this has to go on though, whichever way it turns out FYROM have got an awesome… Read more »

MTD
MTD
9 years ago

Hey, Azerbaijan did similar things in the past. They even won… Oh, wait. As for the Macedonian case, well, according to my sources, #1 isn’t the one that is compromised. Actually, one of the composer and his friend who runs a production house, thought to gain 2nd or 4rd place, because in reality Daniel Kajmakoski would have been the winner no matter what because of his recent X Factor success and popularity. They have done this in order to grab the prices (2 or 3rd placers), but where eventually caught. The author in question is in Viktorija Loba’s teamster. They… Read more »

Thiefo
Thiefo
9 years ago

Alyona Lanskaya 2012?

bavarson
bavarson
9 years ago

The most suspicious are the votes of jury for Tamara Todevska. They probably did not viewed performances. They only evaluated the name.