Extraordinary Press Conference of the Chairperson of the Republic Electoral Commission

18 December 2023

"Gathering in front of the REC deliberately interferes with our work and puts pressure on the conduct of parliamentary elections, which the REC is responsible for. Dissatisfaction with the election results has never led to physical violence, Dimitrijevic said, strongly denouncing the physical attack on the Director of the Republic Statistical Office Miladin Kovacevic and his associates and on the members of the Republic Electoral Commission, as well as the consequences for the candidates for MPs from the electoral list SERBIA AGAINST VIOLENCE.

As an example of unprecedented violence at the REC headquarters, Dimitrijevic pointed to the material seized by the police, among it knives, bats, poles and similar props, in an apparent attempt to instigate violence against the Republic Electoral Commission, giving the pressure the REC members have been exposed to in recent days a very dangerous dimension.

"From my position, it is my duty to protect the integrity of the entire election process carried out by the election administration, with the REC at its top, and for the entire time I have been in charge of the REC, never have I once thought that I would have to take care of the physical safety of the REC members and the officials who provide professional assistance".

He expressed the hope that after today's unpleasant events, reason will be awakened among all those who want to influence the electoral process in the manifested and unacceptable way, and that passions will calm down and return to the domain of legal and legitimate political struggle in accordance with the regulations governing election procedures.