OSCE: Certain Progress Noted in Election Process

Douglas Wake, ODIHR (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

Douglas Wake, the head of the election observation mission launched by the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Serbia, has said that certain progress has been noted in the Serbian election process compared to the past, but that not all challenges have been overcome and more work awaits.

In a statement given late on April 6, Wake said that ODIHR election observers “identified both positive and less positive aspects and processes” relating to Serbia’s recently held elections.

As an example of positive practices, Wake mentioned overall respect for basic human freedoms. Illustrating the shortcomings of the elections process, he cited unequal access to media for different political actors, “extensive disparity” in the financial resources parties had for marketing, pressuring voters – particularly those employed in the public sector, and the use of state resources for party purposes.

“The opposition had more opportunity to present themselves via the public service than before and some privately-owned stations offered the same opportunity. Presentation through the public service was time-limited, but every political party was given an equal amount of time,” Wake stated.

Commenting further on media representation, Wake mentioned certain issues as well, such as the fact that much coverage was given to state officials’ activities “that benefited their campaign.” “The reality is that both the opposition and civil society organizations feel isolated and that the media have been portraying them as the enemy for years. Due to this, [opposition] campaigns had a very limited effect on public opinion, because a large number of people had already decided for whom they would vote based on long-term media [representation],” Wake concluded.