Table of Contents
List of acronyms and abbreviations .......................................................................................................2
1.
Introductory notes ..........................................................................................................................3
2.
About the research .........................................................................................................................4
3.
2.1.
Objectives .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
2.2.
Methodological approach................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Resolving electoral disputes: international standards ..................................................................7
3.1.
International standards and principles for resolving disputes in elections ....................................................................... 7
3.2.
Compliance of Serbian electoral dispute resolution arrangements with international principles: key findings.... 9
3.2.1. Fairness .................................................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2.2. Efficiency .................................................................................................................................................................. 13
3.2.3. Effectiveness ............................................................................................................................................................ 15
3.2.4. Transparency .......................................................................................................................................................... 17
3.2.5. Compliance of the Serbian EDR process with international principles: conclusion ............................ 19
4.
Case study: Serbia .........................................................................................................................20
4.1.
Legal framework and key issues with administration of electoral justice ..................................................................... 20
4.1.1. Current legal framework ..................................................................................................................................... 21
4.1.2. Electoral dispute resolution: bodies and procedures .................................................................................. 23
4.2.
Observer missions and findings in the process of administration of justice ................................................................. 44
4.2.1. ODIHR findings and recommendations........................................................................................................... 44
4.2.2. June 2020 elections: Issues through the findings from local observer missions ................................... 52
4.3.
The public opinion on administration of justice ..................................................................................................................... 57
4.3.1. Methodological notes ........................................................................................................................................... 57
4.3.2. Sample description ................................................................................................................................................ 57
4.3.3. Context.................................................................................................................................................................... 58
4.3.4. A general overview of the election process ................................................................................................... 59
4.3.5. Protecting the vote and election dispute resolution in passive suffrage ................................................. 61
4.3.6. Filing complaints..................................................................................................................................................... 63
4.3.7. Trust in the institutions ....................................................................................................................................... 64
4.3.8. Assessment of the institutions’ performance ................................................................................................. 65
4.3.9. Secrecy of the ballot ............................................................................................................................................. 68
4.3.10.
Pressure on voters and (in)direct citizen experience ............................................................................. 69
4.3.11.
Reporting threats or pressures to the competent institutions ............................................................ 79
5.
Conclusions and strategic interventions: looking to the future ................................................80
5.1.
Institutional model for election dispute resolution ................................................................................................................ 81
5.2.
Rules and procedures for investigations and complaint and dispute resolution ......................................................... 83
5.3.
Legal remedies and sanctions and enforcement of decisions ........................................................................................... 84
5.4.
Informing and educating the public ........................................................................................................................................... 86
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