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Southern Serbia municipal elections generally in line with international standards
BUJANOVAC 29 July 2002
BUJANOVAC, 29 July 2002 - Yesterday's municipal elections in southern Serbia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, generally were conducted in accordance with OSCE commitments for democratic elections and Council of Europe standards, concluded the International Election Observation Mission in a statement released today.
"The elections built upon the efforts by the Republic of Serbia and the three municipalities to increase confidence in democratic institutions and promote reconciliation among the ethnic communities in southern Serbia. The elections were generally in line with international standards, but further improvements are still needed", said Nikolai Vulchanov, Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
"The voting and counting yesterday generally met the legal requirements and were conducted in a calm manner", said Tomas Jirsa, head of the delegation of the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE).
The international observers noted that a positive atmosphere was created by the representation of all national minorities and political parties on election commissions and within the electoral process at all levels. The media generally abided by a code of conduct that required balanced coverage. Election day activities were orderly. However, overcrowding was a problem in a few isolated polling stations. Broad access was provided to both domestic and international observers.
While noting the strengths of the electoral framework, some shortcomings were observed by the international monitors. The accuracy and transparency of voter registers were contentious, especially in Bujanovac. Further improvements are needed. The election legislation also requires further amendments.
The International Election Observation Mission is a joint undertaking by the OSCE/ODIHR and the CLRAE. The OSCE/ODIHR long-term observation was established on 8 July with four election experts. For election day, the International Observation Mission deployed some 110 short-term observers, including four from the CLRAE.
The OSCE/ODIHR will issue a comprehensive report on these elections shortly after the completion of the electoral process.
"The elections built upon the efforts by the Republic of Serbia and the three municipalities to increase confidence in democratic institutions and promote reconciliation among the ethnic communities in southern Serbia. The elections were generally in line with international standards, but further improvements are still needed", said Nikolai Vulchanov, Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
"The voting and counting yesterday generally met the legal requirements and were conducted in a calm manner", said Tomas Jirsa, head of the delegation of the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE).
The international observers noted that a positive atmosphere was created by the representation of all national minorities and political parties on election commissions and within the electoral process at all levels. The media generally abided by a code of conduct that required balanced coverage. Election day activities were orderly. However, overcrowding was a problem in a few isolated polling stations. Broad access was provided to both domestic and international observers.
While noting the strengths of the electoral framework, some shortcomings were observed by the international monitors. The accuracy and transparency of voter registers were contentious, especially in Bujanovac. Further improvements are needed. The election legislation also requires further amendments.
The International Election Observation Mission is a joint undertaking by the OSCE/ODIHR and the CLRAE. The OSCE/ODIHR long-term observation was established on 8 July with four election experts. For election day, the International Observation Mission deployed some 110 short-term observers, including four from the CLRAE.
The OSCE/ODIHR will issue a comprehensive report on these elections shortly after the completion of the electoral process.