International observers regret another failed presidential election in Serbia
Reports indicate that voter turnout for the 16 November 2003 presidential election in Serbia was below 40 per cent. (Milan Obradovic) Photo details
BELGRADE, 17 November 2003 - As preliminary information indicates a voter turnout of less than 40 per cent, it is likely that yesterday's presidential election in the Republic of Serbia (Serbia and Montenegro) will be declared invalid.
While the election was conducted generally in line with OSCE commitments and Council of Europe standards for democratic elections, observers deployed by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) and the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) are concerned that a third failed attempt to elect a president in the last 14 months may further undermine public confidence in the pace of democratic reforms in Serbia.
"We are disappointed that the legislative framework for elections has remained unchanged since the last attempt to elect a president in December 2002," said Nikolai Vulchanov, head of the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission. "We can only repeat our strong recommendation that unusual provisions allowing for an endless cycle of invalid elections be removed from the legislation."
The election campaigns conducted by most candidates were low-key, which could have contributed to low voter turnout. It should also be noted, however, that the choice of voters was narrowed, as several major parties chose not to field candidates, while a number of other parties called on their supporters to boycott the election. Media coverage of the campaign was mainly unbiased, with state television providing largely balanced and neutral coverage.
"No significant problems were reported regarding the polling and the vote count," said Joseph Borg, head of the CLRAE delegation. "The election administration, on the whole, worked in an efficient and transparent manner. It is regrettable that the work and resources invested in the process have been once again wasted."
The OSCE/ODIHR and CLRAE are prepared to assist the Serbian authorities implement the measures recommended in their statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. Both organizations will release final reports on these elections in about one month.
While the election was conducted generally in line with OSCE commitments and Council of Europe standards for democratic elections, observers deployed by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) and the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) are concerned that a third failed attempt to elect a president in the last 14 months may further undermine public confidence in the pace of democratic reforms in Serbia.
"We are disappointed that the legislative framework for elections has remained unchanged since the last attempt to elect a president in December 2002," said Nikolai Vulchanov, head of the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission. "We can only repeat our strong recommendation that unusual provisions allowing for an endless cycle of invalid elections be removed from the legislation."
The election campaigns conducted by most candidates were low-key, which could have contributed to low voter turnout. It should also be noted, however, that the choice of voters was narrowed, as several major parties chose not to field candidates, while a number of other parties called on their supporters to boycott the election. Media coverage of the campaign was mainly unbiased, with state television providing largely balanced and neutral coverage.
"No significant problems were reported regarding the polling and the vote count," said Joseph Borg, head of the CLRAE delegation. "The election administration, on the whole, worked in an efficient and transparent manner. It is regrettable that the work and resources invested in the process have been once again wasted."
The OSCE/ODIHR and CLRAE are prepared to assist the Serbian authorities implement the measures recommended in their statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. Both organizations will release final reports on these elections in about one month.