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ODIHR recommendations on Serbian elections not implemented in practice, expert says
🇷🇸 Serbia /Elections & Politics

ODIHR recommendations on Serbian elections not implemented in practice, expert says

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Serbia adopted election law amendments praised by the EU, but experts warn practical implementation is lacking.
  • Nemanja Nenadić of Transparency Serbia emphasizes the need for a special prosecutor to oversee election day procedures.
  • While laws are changing, Nenadić points out that crucial recommendations regarding voter pressure and campaign finance remain unaddressed in practice.

Serbia has adopted amendments to its election laws, a move welcomed by the European Union. However, experts caution that the legislative changes alone are insufficient without practical enforcement.

Nemanja Nenadić from Transparency Serbia highlighted that guarantees for the implementation of these regulations are necessary. He specifically called for the establishment of a special prosecutor's office to be present and active on election day. "The least problem is that something has been welcomed; the problem is that nothing has been done regarding the practical application of recommendations and laws," Nenadić stated.

The least problem is that something has been welcomed; the problem is that nothing has been done regarding the practical application of recommendations and laws.

— Nemanja NenadićNenadić expressed concern over the lack of practical implementation of election law reforms despite EU praise.

He pointed out that while two key laws, the Law on Financing Political Activities and the Law on Prevention of Corruption, are in preparation and have been submitted to ODIHR for review, their progress is slow. Nenadić stressed that crucial ODIHR recommendations concerning voter pressure have seen absolutely no action, neither in terms of practical measures nor regulatory changes. He suggested that the Criminal Code could be amended to recognize and penalize such electoral process violations more effectively.

European officials, including Gert Jan Koopman from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, have met with Serbian officials to discuss progress on EU accession. Discussions have focused on aligning judicial laws with Venice Commission recommendations, adopting remaining laws according to ODIHR's electoral process improvements, and forming the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM). Nenadić acknowledged the importance of REM but emphasized that other advertising channels also require regulation.

Absolutely nothing has been done in this regard, neither in terms of practical activities nor regulatory changes.

— Nemanja NenadićNenadić specifically addressed the lack of action on recommendations concerning voter pressure.
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Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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