Opposition Movement Says Gov’t, Opposition Both Ignoring Proposal for Video Surveillance at Polling Stations

Elections in Serbia (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

The We - The Strength of the People movement said in a press release on April 9 that neither the representatives of the ruling majority or pro-European opposition parties had responded to its proposal to introduce video surveillance at all polling stations as a measure of oversight over the election process.

The We - The Strength of the People - Branimir Nestorovic caucus sent an official proposal to launch dialogue about fundamental reform of the election system to the National Electoral Commission on March 20. The purpose of the initiative is to restore trust in the election process and state institutions, and pave the way to a transparent and legitimate election, the press release said. The statement added that the first step toward this was the group's proposal to introduce video surveillance at all polling stations as a measure of oversight over the election process.

"The proposal was sent in the spirit of cooperation and good faith, with an invitation to all relevant political actors who share the conviction that a fair and transparent election is the only way out of the institutional crisis to join this constructive dialogue to the benefit of all Serbian citizens. Yet there has been no response to this proposal -- either from the representatives of the ruling majority or from pro-European opposition parties" in the Electoral Commission, the press release read.

It went on to state that, instead of open discussion or disagreement with argumentation, the proposal, which could have been the start of conducting an election which everyone could trust and in which everyone could take equal part, was being ignored.