International observers welcome election of president in Serbia
The presidential election in Serbia on 27 June 2004 was conducted in a calm atmosphere, without serious incidents or irregularities. (OSCE/Urdur Gunnarsdottir) Photo details
BELGRADE, 28 June 2004 - In a preliminary statement issued today, observers from the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe concluded that the presidential election in the Republic of Serbia (Serbia and Montenegro) was conducted essentially in line with OSCE commitments and Council of Europe standards for democratic elections.
The observation mission endorsed changes to Serbia's electoral legislation that removed the requirement for 50 per cent voter turnout for an election to be valid. "Given the cycle of failed elections since 2002, we welcome the legislative amendments removing the turnout requirement," said Ambassador Stephen Nash, Head of the ODIHR mission. "At the same time, we encourage the Serbian authorities to consider improving legislation in the areas of campaign finance and voter registration."
Observers noted that the electoral process was administered in a professional and efficient manner, that the state media provided broad and fair coverage of the campaign, and that the atmosphere during the campaign period was peaceful.
The mission also welcomed the introduction of legal provisions allowing voters to cast their ballot in their homes, at diplomatic missions abroad, and in prisons, which resulted in the enfranchisement of a greater number of voters.
With respect to balloting procedures, the Head of the Congress delegation, Mr. Christopher Newbury, said: "Voting was conducted calmly, and no serious incidents or irregularities on election day were reported by observers or the media."
The mission included 18 experts deployed by the ODIHR in Belgrade and five regional centres, including Kosovo, since 18 May. The Congress delegation included eight observers who monitored the voting and tabulation of results during the first round of voting on 13 June and four observers who monitored polling activities yesterday.
The mission's Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions released today should be read in conjunction with the statement released on 14 June, following the first round of voting. Both the ODIHR and the Congress will release final reports on the election approximately one month after the official announcement of results.
The OSCE/ODIHR and the Council of Europe are ready to assist the Serbian authorities and civil society address any remaining shortcomings in the electoral process.
The observation mission endorsed changes to Serbia's electoral legislation that removed the requirement for 50 per cent voter turnout for an election to be valid. "Given the cycle of failed elections since 2002, we welcome the legislative amendments removing the turnout requirement," said Ambassador Stephen Nash, Head of the ODIHR mission. "At the same time, we encourage the Serbian authorities to consider improving legislation in the areas of campaign finance and voter registration."
Observers noted that the electoral process was administered in a professional and efficient manner, that the state media provided broad and fair coverage of the campaign, and that the atmosphere during the campaign period was peaceful.
The mission also welcomed the introduction of legal provisions allowing voters to cast their ballot in their homes, at diplomatic missions abroad, and in prisons, which resulted in the enfranchisement of a greater number of voters.
With respect to balloting procedures, the Head of the Congress delegation, Mr. Christopher Newbury, said: "Voting was conducted calmly, and no serious incidents or irregularities on election day were reported by observers or the media."
The mission included 18 experts deployed by the ODIHR in Belgrade and five regional centres, including Kosovo, since 18 May. The Congress delegation included eight observers who monitored the voting and tabulation of results during the first round of voting on 13 June and four observers who monitored polling activities yesterday.
The mission's Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions released today should be read in conjunction with the statement released on 14 June, following the first round of voting. Both the ODIHR and the Congress will release final reports on the election approximately one month after the official announcement of results.
The OSCE/ODIHR and the Council of Europe are ready to assist the Serbian authorities and civil society address any remaining shortcomings in the electoral process.