Nikolic: Republican Election Commission must be enabled to work independently

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Monday called for enabling the central electoral commission Republican Election Commission (REC) to work independently and according to the law.

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"The relevant authorities must react and ensure free and democratic elections. I call on the media to give up on participating in a campaign against the winner of the elections, which I think is impermissible for the Serbian public broadcaster, which is leading the way in this," Nikolic told Tanjug when asked how he sees the political situation in the wake of the elections and pressures on the REC.

The exceptional electoral results of the Serbian Progressive Party are an affirmation of the hard and persevering work for the benefit of Serbia and its citizens, Nikolic said.

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"The country is not giving up on the European path, but not at the cost of breaking off the ties with Russia or recognizing the independence of the so-called state of Kosovo," Nikolic said.

"Of course, there are those who have a problem with a successful Serbia. They want Serbia for themselves only, ...they are trying to prevent the country's further progress. Through illegal pressure on the REC, they are trying to alter the electoral will of the citizens," Nikolic said, adding that some parties have "transformed their right into legal violence."

(Telegraf.co.uk / Tanjug)