Chart 3.2.2.1. Average agreement with statements on efficiency (on a scale from 1 to 5) 2.93 3.55 3.23 2.33 Time limits for filing Time limits for lodging complaints with the NEC are appeals with the reasonable and well Administrative Court are regulated reasonable and well regulated Time limits for filing A system that facilitates easy complaints/lodging appeals filing of complaints exists in are generally too short to practice allow the merits to be properly examined and for the institution (NEC or Administrative Court) to make an equitable decision Table 3.2.2.1. Agreement and disagreement with statements about efficiency, absolute numbers Disagree Neutral / No answer Agree Time limits for filing complaints with the REC are reasonable and well regulated 6 7 6 Time limits for lodging appeals with the Administrative Court are reasonable and well regulated 4 7 8 Time limits for filing complaints/lodging appeals are generally too short to allow the merits to be properly examined and for the institution (REC or Administrative Court) to make an equitable decision 0 9 10 A system that facilitates easy filing of complaints exists in practice 10 5 4 According to the experts surveyed, improving efficiency would require mechanisms to prevent frivolous objections,8 which would make the REC more effective; changes to the composition of all political authorities and removal of party political influence on decisionmaking; alignment of time limits with those of the electoral process; stricter sanctions (especially in the Criminal Code); and amendment of other legislation. Particularly important suggestions were to increase the speed and transparency of actions by the ACA, and for the Administrative Court to designate special trained units at election time that could respond efficiently and in full compliance with the law. 3.2.3. Effectiveness The effective administration of justice includes the right to a written, reasoned decision that is not capricious, unreasonable, or arbitrary, the right to appeal/judicial review, and the right to an effective remedy. The Serbian electoral dispute resolution process is effective in that it provides the right to a written, reasoned decision that is based on law, as well as the right to These views are clearly driven by the huge number of objections (over 6,000) filed with the NEC during the latest election. 8 15