Serbia's local elections well organized: ODIHR

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JUN 3 - Serbia's local elections were well-run, with freedoms of expression and assembly respected, but the ruling party's dominance and opposition fragmentation reduced their competitiveness, while allegations of widespread pressure on public sector employees and misuse of public resources favoured the ruling coalition, according to international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in a statement issued today.
    "While these elections were well run, we nonetheless witnessed a dominance of the ruling party and misuse of public resources," said Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, head of the ODIHR election observation mission. "I very much welcome the creation of the working group for working on the implementation of ODIHR's recommendations to improve the election process. But now all members from across the political spectrum must show commitment to moving forward, not just for the benefit of one election or one party, but for the future of all citizens," Zannier noted. (ANSA).