On Electoral Processes in the Western Balkan Countries

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the comparative analysis on the level of meeting the standards in the electoral processes held in the countries of the Western Balkans. The analysis is based on the evaluations published for the Election Integrity Perception Index, for elections held in the period 2011-2021. Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Kosovo are classified in countries that belong to the "Moderate" category in helding elections according to the requirements of democratic standards. BiH, North Macedonia are classified at the level "Very low" and "Low", respectively. The election campaign and its financing is the main challenge faced by all the countries of the Western Balkans. Except for Albania, which is classified in the group of countries with a "moderate" level, the perception of the role of the media in the election campaign in other countries of the Western Balkans is negative, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia "Very low", BiH and Montenegro "Low" . All the countries of this region, in particular BiH, North Macedonia and Serbia, should be committed to improve the electoral legislation and the list of voters. Among the countries of this region, there are significant differences in relation to the quality of administration of electoral processes by electoral authorities.   Received: 6 October 2022 / Accepted: 12 November 2022 / Published: 18 November 2022