18 October 2002

U.S. Urges Immediate Action on Serb Election Law Before Repeat Vote, October 17, 2002

(Oct. 17, Vienna: Davidson statement to OSCE Permanent Council)

The United States, like the EU, is concerned that if the Serbian Parliament does not amend a law requiring a 50% voter turnout to validate elections, the repeat vote for president could "undercut public faith in Serbia's democratic process and institutions," American diplomat Douglas Davidson told the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna October 17.

Following are his remarks:
(begin transcript)

United States Mission to the OSCE
Vienna
October 17, 2002

STATEMENT ON SERBIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Douglas Davidson to the Permanent Council

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I want to join the EU in expressing our strong concern over certain aspects of Serbia's electoral legislation. Last Sunday's second round of Serbian Presidential elections did not meet the required threshold of a voter turnout of 50%, as you noted, and this seems to have invalidated the election itself. It is our understanding that new elections must be called no later than October 22, and that new elections must be held by December 5.

Mr. Chairman, the United States is concerned that if the current electoral legislation is not changed before the new elections, the citizens of Serbia may be confronted yet again by a similar result. This would undercut public faith in Serbia's democratic process and institutions.

We therefore support fully the urgent call by ODIHR issued October 14, on the Serbian Parliament to act immediately to amend the Republic's electoral legislation in line with the ODIHR recommendations, and specifically to repeal that requirement of a 50% voter turnout. We would also like to add our voice to that call. These changes should be made before new elections are called.

We hope Serbian Prime Minister Djindjic and other authorities in Serbia will support our urgent request, and work with the Serbian parliament to effect those changes immediately. We look forward to seeing Serbia's electoral legislation reformed and brought fully into conformity with international standards, and we very much hope to see Presidential elections conducted successfully in the near future.

Thank you very much.

(end transcript)