The Central Election Commission (CEC) at its meeting on Wednesday did not certify the Serbian List's parliamentary candidates for the December 28 elections.
Democracy in Action reacted to this today.
"Democracy in Action expresses concern about today's decision by the CEC not to certify the candidates of the Serbian List, despite the fact that they have passed legal verifications by competent institutions. The certification process is a clear and defined procedural stage, which should be based on legal criteria and consolidated election administration practices, not on politically motivated interpretations or decision-making," the reaction states.
DnV assesses that the CEC sometimes deviates from previous practices and from the decisions of the ECAP and the Supreme Court.
"Experience to date shows that such decisions, within a few days, are usually annulled or changed by higher appeals bodies, creating unnecessary delays and undermining confidence in the election administration."
The competence to verify whether candidates have met the conditions or not according to the Law, has only the Office for Registration, Certification and Financial Control of Political Entities. According to Article 27 of the Law on General Elections, the Office recommends to the CEC for or against certification. The Office undertakes this action after reviewing the lists of candidates. According to the Law, the competence of the CEC in this case is only formal to vote and approve the decision of a professional body of the CEC. Moreover, according to Article 30 of the Law, the legal suitability of candidates is assessed only on the basis of assessments of relevant institutions, a filter fulfilled by the candidates of the entity in question”, the reaction states.
DnV further emphasizes that electoral administration requires professional, independent decision-making and in accordance with the law, and calls on CEC members to avoid such abstentions and decision-making, but to ensure that electoral processes are not harmed by decisions that exceed legal competences or current practice. /Telegraph/
