European Commission: Objections to Election Irregularities to be Investigated Properly

European Commission/PHOTO/Guillaume Périgois

Even though the right to peaceful protests must be protected, violence is not a solution, and it’s unacceptable, whereas the objections that irregularities occurred during the local and parliamentary elections in Serbia should be investigated properly, the European Commission announced on Dec. 27.

The European Union calls for peace and dialogue, the Commission said, when asked by N1 TV to comment on a rapid succession of events in Serbia in the wake of the parliamentary and local elections held on Dec. 17.

“Even though the right to peaceful protests must be protected, violence is not a solution, and it’s unacceptable. Police actions must be proportionate and respectful of the fundamental rights within the rule of law,” the European Commission said, adding that “objections regarding election irregularities should be properly investigated and dealt with.’

The Commission said on Dec. 22 that it had received a letter by the Serbia Against Violence coalition with the request that the results of the elections in Serbia should not be recognized, adding that its position on the elections had been voiced already through a joint statement by High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi. The two EU officials said they expected that “credible reports of irregularities are followed up in a transparent manner by the competent national authorities.”