Implementation of electoral recommendations in the Western Balkans discussed at OSCE/ODIHR regional conference
The follow-up to the recommendations of election observation missions in the Western Balkans topped the agenda of an online conference organized by the OSCE Office Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 10 November 2020.
The conference focused on the extent and modalities of the follow-up of ODIHR’s electoral recommendations in the process of bringing the conduct of elections closer in line with OSCE commitments, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections. Participants shared ideas on different methods, identified good practices from across the region and proposed recommendations for future follow-up.
“The concrete support of ODIHR for the continuous improvement of the Montenegro electoral legislation has been very productive and we are grateful for that. Now, additional support is needed for the implementation of legal regulations,” said Branimir Gvozdenović, Member of Montenegrin Parliament, former Vice President of the Parliament and Chairperson of the Committee on Comprehensive Reform of Electoral and Other Legislation. “I hope that ODIHR will continue cooperation will our recently elected parliament, with the aim of further improving the election legislation in accordance with international election standards.”
Key topics included cooperation and partnership between ODIHR, local authorities, civil society and other organizations. Discussions also centred on sharing good practices, challenges and recommendations; and on the inclusion of national minorities, women, and people with disabilities in electoral processes.
Renata Deskoska, Professor of Constitutional Law and Political System at the Law Faculty in Skopje, former Minister of Justice of North Macedonia, and former Chairperson of the Working Group on Electoral Code, said:
“The first step toward free, fair and credible elections is consensus on the legislative frame that implements international standards for democratic elections. The recent changes of the Electoral Code of North Macedonia were prepared by an inclusive working group, which consisted of representatives of political parties, state institutions, civil society organizations and experts. The proficient support offered by ODIHR, including via its Electoral Recommendations Database, in the process of implementing the recommendations and improving our legislative framework was significant for the progress we have achieved.”
The event marked the final stages of ODIHR’s project Support to Elections in the Western Balkans, funded by the European Union and the Austrian Development Agency. Between 2017 and 2020, the project actively supported the process of political reform, legal review activities and sustainable electoral-management capacities through public consultation and inclusion.
The online conference brought together participants from the Balkans representing election management bodies, government structures, working groups on electoral legal reform, media regulators, public broadcasters, journalists associations and civil society organizations and people with disabilities.
When the project closes at the end of 2020, ODIHR looks forward to continuing to support OSCE participating States in their follow-up efforts to electoral recommendations.