EU: We Regret the Number of Reported Incidents during March 29 Local Elections

Photo: Saša Trifunović

In a statement on March 31, the European Union Delegation to Serbia said that it regretted the number of reported irregularities and incidents during the local elections in 10 Serbian municipalities held on March 29. 

“We note with concern reports of acts of violence against independent observers, citizens, representatives of political parties and media workers. We call on the competent national authorities to ensure swift and transparent follow up and to hold perpetrators accountable,” it is said in the statement, published on the Delegation’s website. 

They welcomed the high voter turnout and active engagement of citizens, adding they had taken note of the findings of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, which had observed the elections. 

“We recall that it is the duty of the State to protect citizens from violence, to guarantee adequate conditions for citizen observers to conduct their activities in an environment free from pressure and intimidation, and to ensure the safety of journalists in the context of elections,” it is said in the statement.

The Delegation also recalled that aside from building on the first positive steps taken to address concerns about the integrity of the electoral register, the electoral process “requires further tangible improvement and reform,” including the full implementation of OSCE/ODIHR and Council of Europe recommendations “well in advance of the next national elections.”