International observers call for urgent improvement of Serbia's election laws before repeat vote

BELGRADE, 14 October 2002 - The international observation mission for the presidential elections in Serbia today urged the parliament to improve the Republic's electoral legislation ahead of the repeat vote which has become necessary as a result of the insufficient turnout in yesterday's second-round voting. The mission was deployed by the OSCE's election watchdog, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

"As we already noted after the first round, the election laws contain significant deficiencies", said Nikolai Vulchanov, the head of the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission. "These deficiencies have the potential of undermining the democratic process in Serbia. We therefore call on the parliament to change the relevant provisions before the announcement of the repeat elections on or before 22 October."

Following yesterday's second-round vote, the OSCE/ODIHR issued a statement (attached) confirming that the elections were conducted largely in line with international standards, although shortcomings in the legislation inherited from the previous regime persist.

The OSCE/ODIHR in particular suggested repealing the 50 percent second-round turnout requirement before the repeat vote, as this provision would promote boycott by unsuccessful first-round candidates, undermine voter confidence, contradict the spirit of the Constitution and could ultimately lead to a constitutional crisis caused by a series of unsuccessful attempts to elect a new president.

"In the long-run, a comprehensive review and amendment of all election laws is necessary, and the process for compiling voter registers needs to be improved", added Mr. Vulchanov.