ODIHR experts visit Serbia for consultations as part of Western Balkans election support project
A team of experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) were in Serbia from 29 January to 1 February for a consultation and planning visit within the framework of the ODIHR Support to Elections in the Western Balkans project.
ODIHR election experts meeting with representatives of Serbia’s parliamentary Committee on Constitutional and Legislative Issues during their visit to Belgrade. 30 January 2018.
The ODIHR team met with senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, the Republic Electoral Commission, the parliament’s Committee on Constitutional and Legislative Issues, the public broadcaster and the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media. The experts also met with representatives of civil society organizations and the international community, including the delegation of the European Union. The visit was organized with support from the OSCE Mission to Serbia.
In-depth consultations were held with key stakeholders regarding electoral reform needs, in order to identify main actors and their roles and responsibilities, and to encourage an open and consultative process. Discussions focused on election administration, voter lists and the role of media during campaigns.
“Our visit was an important first step in identifying ways ODIHR can assist Serbia in efforts to further improve electoral law and practice,” said Richard Lappin, Deputy Head of the ODIHR Elections Department. “We look forward to supporting a reform process that is inclusive and timely, taking into consideration past ODIHR recommendations.”
Following the visit, ODIHR will develop a strategic plan to support electoral reform, complementing existing initiatives in Serbia and the work of other electoral assistance providers.
The visit was the fourth of six – one to each of the beneficiaries of the project – to be carried out during the first phase of the three-year project. The project is funded by the European Union and the Austrian Development Agency.
All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly follow up on ODIHR election assessments and recommendations. ODIHR has consistently supported the effective follow-up of recommendations, and the Support to Elections in the Western Balkans project builds upon this work.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
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