Newsroom
OSCE Mission to assess second election re-run in southern Serbia
BELGRADE 20 August 2002
BELGRADE, 20 August 2002 - The Serbian government conducted proportional municipal elections in Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac on 28 July, supported by the OSCE, its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and other representatives of the international community. These elections were the culmination of many months' efforts to ensure that they would be free and fair, ultimately reflecting the will of the electorate in South Serbia. The international community applauded this effort and the co-operative spirit with which the elections were undertaken. The ODIHR concluded that they met international standards.
Relying on the Law on Local Self-government, several parties challenged the conduct of these elections in several voting areas. The Bujanovac Municipal Election Commission determined that repeat elections should be held in 11 voting areas. On 11 August these repeat elections were conducted in the presence of the OSCE Assessment Teams, and representatives of the Republican Election Commission. They were found to be in keeping with international standards. Technical shortcomings were not seen to have affected the outcome.
Nonetheless, complaints were subsequently lodged with the Municipal Election Commission regarding alleged voting irregularities in nine of the 11 polling sites. The Commission, affirmed by the Municipal Court, decided that another round of repeat elections will take place in two of these polling stations on August 25. The OSCE will once again send teams to assess these elections.
The Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mark Davison, urged all citizens in southern Serbia to demonstrate patience, restraint, and tolerance in the pursuit of fair democratic representation for the people of this region.
"As part of a democratic process, the decision of the Municipal Election Commission to hold repeat elections in Bujanovac for a second time calls for the support of the international community." he said. "We encourage the Electoral Commission and the Municipal Court to ensure the democratic process is not used to impose an unreasonable burden on those who seek their rights through ballot box. We do believe that abuse of the process through unnecessary prolongation can only further divide the people of southern Serbia and could threaten much of the progress and good will achieved over the past year.
"We look forward to the end of the electoral phase in southern Serbia. We also look forward to helping with the establishment of multi-ethnic municipal authorities with whom we can pursue programmes to build democracy, particularly through development of economic and social infrastructures" he added.
Relying on the Law on Local Self-government, several parties challenged the conduct of these elections in several voting areas. The Bujanovac Municipal Election Commission determined that repeat elections should be held in 11 voting areas. On 11 August these repeat elections were conducted in the presence of the OSCE Assessment Teams, and representatives of the Republican Election Commission. They were found to be in keeping with international standards. Technical shortcomings were not seen to have affected the outcome.
Nonetheless, complaints were subsequently lodged with the Municipal Election Commission regarding alleged voting irregularities in nine of the 11 polling sites. The Commission, affirmed by the Municipal Court, decided that another round of repeat elections will take place in two of these polling stations on August 25. The OSCE will once again send teams to assess these elections.
The Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mark Davison, urged all citizens in southern Serbia to demonstrate patience, restraint, and tolerance in the pursuit of fair democratic representation for the people of this region.
"As part of a democratic process, the decision of the Municipal Election Commission to hold repeat elections in Bujanovac for a second time calls for the support of the international community." he said. "We encourage the Electoral Commission and the Municipal Court to ensure the democratic process is not used to impose an unreasonable burden on those who seek their rights through ballot box. We do believe that abuse of the process through unnecessary prolongation can only further divide the people of southern Serbia and could threaten much of the progress and good will achieved over the past year.
"We look forward to the end of the electoral phase in southern Serbia. We also look forward to helping with the establishment of multi-ethnic municipal authorities with whom we can pursue programmes to build democracy, particularly through development of economic and social infrastructures" he added.