#19 INCREASE THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE WORK OF THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION BODIES

 The election administration ensures free and fair voting, and publicly announces the official results (CD 7.4). There must be the possibility of monitoring the work of the election administration (VC II.3.1.e) as well as the manner of its decision-making (II.3.1.h). In order for these standards to be met, it is necessary to undertake the following:

1.  Improve the overview of the REC sessions held by publishing data on voting of the present REC members

   Since the election process in 2022, the decisions of the election commissions have been published on the REC website in a timely manner. In addition to this basic overview of documents and decisions of electoral commissions, in order to further improve the transparency of the REC’s work, it is important to publish data on the voting of the present REC members for each item on the agenda in a separate overview. Publishing of this information will provide public insight into the views of the REC members regarding decision-making at all stages of the election process.

2. Publish on the website of the REC the record of the presence of members and deputy members of the polling station committee along with the record of the polling station committee’s work

   Since the minutes of the work of the polling station committee may or may not be signed by all the members and deputy members of the polling station committee who are present at the polling station, as well as the fact that the signed minutes of the work of the polling station committee are not considered to be a record of attendance, the CRTA believes that the publication of the records of attendance of members and deputy members of the polling station committee would have a positive effect on the greater responsibility of the members of polling station committees.

3. Provide personalised identification cards for members of the polling station committees

   In order to facilitate the identification of members and deputy members of polling station committees at polling stations, it is necessary to produce personalised identification cards with first and last name and a photo. In this way, voters will be able to clearly distinguish the members and deputy members of the polling station committee from unauthorised persons who may be present at the polling station. The need for this change exists because in many polling stations it has been noticed that the members and deputy members of the polling station committee do not carry identification cards. In addition, the identification cards (badges) themselves are depersonalised, which means that they can be used by any person.

4. Introduce the obligation of the REC to announce the preliminary turnout immediately after the closing of the polling stations, as well as the first preliminary election results no later than four hours after the closing of the polling stations

   The existing solution in the Law on the Election of Members of Parliament obliges the REC to establish the preliminary results within 24 hours of the closing of the polling stations. Bearing in mind the interest of the public and the need for public trust in the work of the election administration, especially during the Election Day when political expectations and actors’ tensions are at a high level, it is necessary to introduce the obligation of the REC to announce the first preliminary election results no later than four hours after the polling stations close. The provision on determining preliminary results within 24 hours should remain valid.

5.  Strengthen the professional support and capacities of the REC for communicating with the media and the public

   The organisation and conduct of elections attracts great attention not only of the general public in Serbia, but also of other actors: the media, civil society organisations, international actors. In order to ensure timely, accurate and true informing of the public about the various phases, steps and procedures in the election process, it is necessary to further improve the communication of the Republic Electoral Commission with the public and, above all, with media representatives. The current practice shows that the capacities of the Public Relations Department of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, as part of the NARS expert service that provides support to the REC during the election process, are not sufficient to avoid different interpretations and understandings of election rules. Therefore, it would be necessary to establish the position of the coordinator of the Republic Election Commission in charge of public relations as a contact person for media representatives and other actors. The task of the public relations coordinator would include responding to media inquiries in a timely manner, providing accurate and official information, and interlocutors.