EU Expects Swift, Transparent Investigation Into Incidents at Local Elections in Serbia

Elections in Serbia (BETAPHOTO/Milan Obradovic)

The European Union announced on Dec. 1 that it expected a speedy and transparent investigation into all events and incidents that marked recent local elections in three municipalities in Serbia.

We expect a swift and transparent investigation by the responsible state agencies into reports of incidents and irregularities, including reports of violence and intimidation of independent observers, the EU told Radio Free Europe in a statement.

The EU statement noted that the events during the elections held in Mionica, Negotin and Secanj on Nov. 30 had been followed closely, and stressed that the functioning of democratic institutions was at the heart of the process of Serbia's accession to the EU.

The EU reminded that the election process in Serbia needed further, concrete improvements and reforms, and added that the authorities should ensure adequate conditions so that observers, whether civic or independent, can do their work free from pressure and intimidation.

In this context, the full implementation of the recommendations of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights remains a priority and the EU is ready to support Serbia in carrying out the recommendations, the statement went on to say.