4.3.11. Reporting threats or pressures to the competent institutions Filing complaints for election irregularities, i.e., reporting to competent authorities, was a key element of administration of justice. This is particularly important when bearing in mind that some institutions do not have the authority to act sua sponte, and that some institutions do not have the capacity or ability to act without previous initiative. However, among 195 respondents (19%) from the sample who experienced some pressure in the June election cycle, only 1 subject reported it to an NGO. This suggests that there is exceptional room to raise awareness and knowledge of citizens about the ways and mechanisms for administration of justice, especially considering that only on in ten respondents know how to file complaints for election irregularities. In this respect, an extensive information campaign is necessary to inform citizens about (1) the ways, procedures, and mechanisms to file complaints/initiate proceedings, (2) the competencies of various institutions responsible for the administration of justice (both active and passive suffrage), but also (3) the system of electoral rights, including these key principles of suffrage – that it is free, general, equal, direct, and secret, and (4) forms of illicit pressures. The reasons why citizens did not report pressures are expected in the overall context and can be sorted into two groups by their causes: (1) relation to institutions and (2) procedural and technical reasons. The first group is picked by 51% of the respondents, and it implies a lack of trust in the institutions dealing with the administration of justice (19%), the belief that nothing will change even if a complaint is filed/ procedure is initiated (18%) and the belief that representatives of bodies protect each other and that they are ‘all the same’. The second group of reasons (31%) contains a lack of time to deal with the complaint – 17%, the complexity of the process (10%) and the answer ‘I didn’t know who to turn to’ – 4%. Chart 4.3.11.1. Why didn't you report threats or pressures to the institutions? (in %) I had no confidence in institutions tasked with safeguarding electoral rights 19 I did not feel this would change anything 18 I did not have the time to deal with that 17 They are all the same and look out for one another 14 It was all too complicated for me I did not know who to contact DNK, Cannot tell 10 4 18 79