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Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Limitations on the right to stand should be reviewed to ensure full compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards. The withdrawal of individual franchise in case of a criminal conviction must be proportionate to the severity of the offence. The legislation should be amended to allow citizens to run as independent candidates.
Recommendation # in final report:
1
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Candidate Registration
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Candidate Registration
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
As previously recommended, consideration should be given to introducing provisions prohibiting the misuse of administrative resources for campaign purposes.
Recommendation # in final report:
2
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Campaign
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Election Campaign
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To increase the transparency of political party financing, consideration should be given to requiring that political parties disclose all types of income, including donations, bank loans and in-kind contributions, on a quarterly basis.
Recommendation # in final report:
3
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Political Party and Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Consideration should be given to providing the State Commission financial and human resources independent from the Ministry of Interior, so that the commission fulfills its role as a fully independent political party and campaign finance oversight body.
Recommendation # in final report:
4
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Election Administration
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Political Party and Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To prevent self-censorship and remove unjustified strain on the financial stability of the media, defamation should be decriminalized and proportional legal limitations of damages in civil libel cases should be introduced.
Recommendation # in final report:
5
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Media
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Legal provisions should be introduced to ensure full access to all stages of the electoral process to citizen and international observers, including accreditation arrangements.
Recommendation # in final report:
6
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Citizen and International Observation
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Election Observation
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Adequate time limits for election-related complaints at all levels should be provided by the legislation to ensure the implementation of the right to effective remedy.
Recommendation # in final report:
7
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Election Dispute Resolution (EDR)
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Complaints and Appeals
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The elections act should be amended to explicitly allow observers, both citizen and international, to be present at sessions of election commissions of all levels.
Recommendation # in final report:
8
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Citizen and International Observation
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Election Administration
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
As previously recommended, the elections act could be amended to explicitly stipulate that the State Commission’s decisions on procedural matters are legally binding for lower-level commissions.
Recommendation # in final report:
9
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Election Administration
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Consideration could be given to revising the existing blanket denial of the right to vote to those deprived of legal capacity to ensure proportionality of restrictions on the voting rights of persons with mental disabilities.
Recommendation # in final report:
10
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Voter Registration
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Fully
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Voter Registration
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Possible legislative measures could be considered to facilitate a more balanced participation of women and men in political and public life. Political parties could consider ways to further increase gender balance on their party lists.
Recommendation # in final report:
11
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Participation of Women
Secondary thematic area:
Candidate Registration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Election Campaign
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
In order to prevent possible circumvention of the expenditure ceiling, the authorities could consider introducing a ban on political party donations to third party transparent accounts.
Recommendation # in final report:
12
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Political Party and Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The authorities could consider harmonizing the requirements for quarterly and annual donation reports.
Recommendation # in final report:
13
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Sub-legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Political Party and Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The authorities could consider mandating detailed interim reports of all types of income, including in-kind donations and bank loans, and expenditure incurred during election campaign.
Recommendation # in final report:
14
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Political Party and Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The State Commission could consider publishing instructions for political parties and other stakeholders on the implementation of legal provisions related to political party and campaign financing.
Recommendation # in final report:
15
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Election Administration
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Partially
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Political Party and Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
A set of measures to strengthen media diversity and plurality of opinions could be considered. The decline in investigative journalism could be mitigated by strengthening the public broadcaster. Legal measures to limit concentration of media ownership could be considered.
Recommendation # in final report:
16
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Media
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The authorities could consider amending the law to set reasonably shorter time limits for the Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission to decide on campaign-related media complaints.
Recommendation # in final report:
17
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Media
Secondary thematic area:
Election Dispute Resolution (EDR)
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The elections act could be amended to introduce explicit mechanisms for adjudication of election-related disputes by election commissions and stipulate a detailed legal procedure for consideration of complaints by the State Commission.
Recommendation # in final report:
18
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Dispute Resolution (EDR)
Secondary thematic area:
Election Administration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Complaints and Appeals
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The PECs should be instructed to position the voting booths in a way that ensures the secrecy of the vote. The boxes for depositing unused ballot papers could be clearly distinguished and placed far apart from the ballot box.
Recommendation # in final report:
19
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Day
Secondary thematic area:
Election Administration
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Mostly
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Election Day
Slovakia
2016
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To enhance transparency of the counting procedures, the election legislation could be amended to mandate that the PEC publishes election results at polling stations and provides copies of results protocols upon request.
Recommendation # in final report:
20
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Day
Secondary thematic area:
Election Administration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2020
Final report heading:
Election Day
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
Full independence of the State Election Commission should be ensured and its administrative and financial capacity strengthened.
Recommendation # in final report:
1
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election Administration
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
To promote independence and impartiality of the campaign finance oversight, consideration should be given to entrust the competence in campaign finance control to an independent institution.
Recommendation # in final report:
2
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
Defamation should be decriminalised and a reasonable ceiling for damages should be introduced in the civil label cases.
Recommendation # in final report:
3
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Media
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
To ensure the long-term pluralism of media, the authorities could strengthen the public broadcaster through an adequate financing and enhance its independence.
Recommendation # in final report:
4
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Media
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
The Elections Act should be amended to introduce explicit mechanisms and legal procedures for resolution of election disputes within adequate timeframes.
Recommendation # in final report:
5
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Election Dispute Resolution (EDR)
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Complaints and Appeals
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
To increase the consistency of electoral legal framework, State Election Commission could be mandated by law to issue consolidated regulations to further detail and interpret the Elections Act.
Recommendation # in final report:
6
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Legal framework
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
As previously recommended, the Elections Act could be amended to specify that the resolutions of the State Election Commission are legally binding for the lower level electoral commissions.
Recommendation # in final report:
7
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election administration
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
Consideration could be given to make all sessions of the State Election Commission public in order to enhance transparency of election administration
Recommendation # in final report:
8
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Secondary thematic area:
Citizen and International Observation
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Partially
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election administration
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
In line with national commitments and international standards, gender disaggregated data produced during the electoral process should be made available in a comprehensive manner.
Recommendation # in final report:
9
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Participation of Women
Secondary thematic area:
Election Day
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election administration
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
In line with international good practice, possibility of election-day registration at a polling station could be reconsidered
Recommendation # in final report:
10
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Voter Registration
Secondary thematic area:
Election Day
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Voter registration
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
Limitations on the right to stand should be reviewed to ensure that the disqualification in case of criminal conviction is proportionate to the gravity of offence.
Recommendation # in final report:
11
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Candidate Registration
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Candidate registration
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
To harmonize the electoral legal framework and ensure impartiality of the process, the State Election Commission could be entrusted with registration of presidential candidates.
Recommendation # in final report:
12
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Candidate Registration
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Candidate registration
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
The campaign finance reporting provisions could include the requirement of reporting on financial donations. Further regulation on unspent incomes and on in-kind donation disclosure and reporting could be considered to increase transparency of campaign finance.
Recommendation # in final report:
13
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Campaign financing
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
To strengthen the campaign finance oversight, findings of the candidates’ reports audits should be published within a reasonable timeframe and should contain consolidated and detailed information.
Recommendation # in final report:
14
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Campaign financing
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
Authorities shall swiftly investigate the threats, including online, against the journalists, and refrain from the use of derogatory language which may encourage such attacks.
Recommendation # in final report:
15
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Media
Secondary thematic area:
Campaign
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Partially
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
To ensure equal and fair campaign, relevant authorities could consider the possibilities of regulating campaign coverage also in the online media.
Recommendation # in final report:
16
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign
Secondary thematic area:
Media
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Fully
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
The Elections Act should be amended to explicitly allow full access of citizens and international observers to all stages of the electoral process.
Recommendation # in final report:
17
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Citizen and International Observation
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election observation
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
To ensure the right to effective remedy, the timelines of adjudication on constitutionality and legality of elections should be harmonized with the commencement of term for elected president.
Recommendation # in final report:
18
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Dispute Resolution (EDR)
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Complaints and appeals
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
In line with international good practice, consideration could be given to amend the legislation and establish practical measures to ensure full access of persons with sensory, physical and intellectual impairments to the voting process.
Recommendation # in final report:
19
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Participation of Persons with Disabilities
Secondary thematic area:
Election Day
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Partially
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election day
Slovakia
2019
EAM
Presidential
Election legislation could be amended to allow precinct election commissions to publish the final protocol in polling stations and to provide a copy to all interested members and observers under equal conditions.
Recommendation # in final report:
20
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Day
Secondary thematic area:
Election Administration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Partially
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election day
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To ensure the stability of the legislation, electoral reforms should be undertaken well in advance of elections, through open and inclusive consultations with all election stakeholders.
Recommendation # in final report:
1
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Legal Framework
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Partially
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Legal Framework and Electoral System
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Sufficient institutional capacity of the SEC to perform its duties should be ensured. The competences and activities of the MoI and SEC should be clearly delineated.
Recommendation # in final report:
2
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election Administration
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Restrictions on the right to stand as candidates, including those based on criminal conviction, disability and residency should be reviewed in line with international obligations and standards.
Recommendation # in final report:
3
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Candidate Registration
Secondary thematic area:
Participation of Persons with Disabilities
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Candidate Registration
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Consideration could be given to vesting the authority for campaign finance oversight with an independent institution endowed with adequate capacity and resources.
Recommendation # in final report:
4
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To protect media freedom, defamation should be decriminalized and the provisions for the right of reply for politicians and public officials repealed.
Recommendation # in final report:
5
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Media
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The legislation should provide more clarity to guarantee the resolution of election-related disputes within expedited timeframes. In addition, election administration bodies could consider producing standard operating procedures for handling complaints, including by PECs on election day, emphasizing the requirements for publication of reasoned decisions.
Recommendation # in final report:
6
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Election Dispute Resolution (EDR)
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Complaints and Appeals
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Legislative measures could be considered and greater practical efforts undertaken to facilitate voting by persons with disabilities, including through ensuring the accessibility of polling stations and development of accessible information materials and of assistive tools.
Recommendation # in final report:
7
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Election Day
Secondary thematic area:
Participation of Persons with Disabilities
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Partially
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election Day
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The procedures for the processing of postal ballots by the municipalities and the Ministry of Interior could be further detailed and the respective activities rendered more transparent. Consideration could be given to designating greater resources to municipalities to enable them to perform their duties effectively.
Recommendation # in final report:
8
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Fully
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election administration
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The election legislation could be amended to clearly specify that SEC decisions on procedural matters are binding for lower-level election commissions.
Recommendation # in final report:
9
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election administration
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Consideration could be given to gathering and publishing gender-disaggregated statistics pertaining to the electoral process, including for the composition of election commissions.
Recommendation # in final report:
10
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Secondary thematic area:
Participation of Women
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election administration
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Consideration should be given to adopting legal, administrative, and other temporary special measures to enhance the participation of women. Parties could be encouraged to set internal goals for candidate lists, including requirements for the placement of women on winnable positions.
Recommendation # in final report:
11
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Candidate Registration
Secondary thematic area:
Participation of Women
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Candidate registration
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The extensive ban on the publication of opinion polls before elections could be reviewed to ensure conformity with the guarantees of freedom of expression and information.
Recommendation # in final report:
12
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Fully
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election campaign
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To ensure a level playing field, provisions to ban the misuse of public resources should be considered. This could include a prohibition on announcing and initiating, during electoral campaigns, major social projects and measures of public significance, which might create a favorable perception of the initiating parties.
Recommendation # in final report:
13
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election campaign
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Consideration could be given to reducing the annual limit for donations.
Recommendation # in final report:
14
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Campaign finance
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Consideration could be given to providing appropriate regulation for third party financing, reconciling the objectives of ensuring transparency and accountability with the guarantees of freedom of association and expression.
Recommendation # in final report:
15
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Campaign finance
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The provisions on campaign financing could be amended to include regulations to report on incomes and on unspent campaign funds. To increase the transparency of campaign finance, the MoI could be obliged to publish its oversight reports within clearly established timeframes.
Recommendation # in final report:
16
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Campaign finance
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Liquidation as a sanction for exceeding the party income limit could be reviewed to ensure proportionality. Dissuasive administrative fines, such as reduction or loss of eligibility for public funds, could be considered as alternatives or as preceding steps in a gradually escalating range of sanctions.
Recommendation # in final report:
17
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Campaign finance
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To protect the credibility and independence of the public broadcaster, consideration could be given to introducing additional safeguards against the dominance of any political force in the management appointment process and to ensuring the stability of its funding.
Recommendation # in final report:
18
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Media
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Partially
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The legislation should explicitly grant access for citizen and international observers to all stages of the electoral process.
Recommendation # in final report:
19
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Citizen and International Observation
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election observation
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To enhance confidence in the process, the deadlines for the review of complaints by the Constitutional Court and for the beginning of work of the new parliament should be reconciled. The legislation could be further revised to provide individual citizens, or a reasonable quorum of voters, with the right to appeal election results.
Recommendation # in final report:
20
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Dispute Resolution (EDR)
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not implemented
Year of assessment:
2023
Final report heading:
Complaints and appeals
Slovakia
2020
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To enhance transparency of counting procedures, consideration could be given to allow the election administration to post results protocols in polling stations and to enable stakeholder access to them.
Recommendation # in final report:
21
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Day
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Partially
Year of assessment:
2024
Final report heading:
Election day
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The competencies and activities of the MoI and the SEC should be clearly defined and delineated in a way that permits the SEC to operate in an institutionally and functionally independent manner.
Recommendation # in final report:
1
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Election Administration
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Restrictions on candidacy based on residency, criminal conviction, intellectual or psychosocial disabilities, and the impossibility to stand as independent candidates should be reviewed in line with OSCE commitments, international standards, and good electoral practice.
Recommendation # in final report:
2
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Candidate Registration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Candidate Registration
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Consideration could be given to vesting an independent body with campaign finance oversight responsibilities. This body should have the mandate and sufficient capacity to exercise effective control over the contestants’ income and expenditures, both during the campaign and after the election process is concluded.
Recommendation # in final report:
3
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Campaign Expenditure
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Defamation and insult should be decriminalized in favour of civil remedies.
Recommendation # in final report:
4
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Media
Secondary thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The legislation should be reviewed to provide adequate expedited deadlines for election disputes and clear guidelines for handling complaints by election administration bodies and other bodies. All election-related decisions by the SEC should be subject to judicial review.
Recommendation # in final report:
5
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Election Dispute Resolution (EDR)
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Electoral Dispute Resolution
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The authorities should increase efforts to allocate adequate premises for polling stations that allow independent access for voters with physical disabilities. Additional measures should be considered, including the use of election materials in accessible formats and assistive tools in polling stations.
Recommendation # in final report:
6
Type of recommendation:
Priority
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Secondary thematic area:
Election Day
Type of change required:
Sub-legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Election Day
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To enhance women’s participation in political life, the institutions, political parties and other stakeholders should increase efforts to address existing gender stereotypes and reduce the gender gap both through regulatory measures and advocacy.
Recommendation # in final report:
7
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Participation of Women
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Background and Political Context
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To address the remaining gaps and weaknesses in the election law, the authorities should engage in inclusive and comprehensive public consultations and address prior recommendations by election stakeholders and observers well ahead of the next parliamentary elections.
Recommendation # in final report:
8
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Legal Framework
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Legal Framework
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Sex-disaggregated data on the election administration should be collected and published.
Recommendation # in final report:
9
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Type of change required:
Sub-legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Election Administration
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To bolster public confidence, consideration could be given to make mandatory the conduct and the publication of findings of an independent audit of the election results management system.
Recommendation # in final report:
10
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Administration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Election Administration
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To further enhance transparency and foster confidence in the election process, the SEC should be mandated to regularly collect and publish the number of registered voters at the district, municipal and national levels before election day.
Recommendation # in final report:
11
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Voter Registration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Voter Registration
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The authorities should adjust the deadline for the withdrawal and revocation of candidates to allow sufficient time for the change to be reflected on the printed ballot papers. To support voters' ability to cast valid and informed preferential votes, voter information and communication about party and candidate withdrawals and revocations should be improved.
Recommendation # in final report:
12
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Candidate Registration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Candidate Registration
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To increase political participation and representation of women, the adoption of proactive measures such as mandatory gender quotas should be considered. In addition, the law could provide financial incentives to parties for promoting women in their decision-making bodies and for increasing the number of women candidates placed higher on the lists.
Recommendation # in final report:
13
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Candidate Registration
Secondary thematic area:
Participation of Women
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Candidate Registration
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To facilitate meaningful participation, political parties should make their programmes, campaign materials, and messages accessible to persons with disabilities. The MoI could develop detailed recommendations on practical measures in collaboration with state and civil organizations active in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and legislators could consider incentives for parties that make their campaigns more accessible.
Recommendation # in final report:
14
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign
Secondary thematic area:
Participation of Persons with Disabilities
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Election Campaign
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To prevent undue influence by donors, consideration could be given to lowering the existing limit on donations and enacting detailed regulations related to loans.
Recommendation # in final report:
15
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Regulations on third-party campaign funding should be reviewed so that freedom of expression is respected while, at the same time, reasonable limits on third-party expenditures are imposed to prevent undue distortion of the campaign.
Recommendation # in final report:
16
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
As previously recommended, to enhance the independence of the public broadcaster, the procedures for the appointment of its board members and the general director should be reviewed. Decisions on the funding model should be adopted based on inclusive consultations with all the relevant stakeholders.
Recommendation # in final report:
17
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Media
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To uphold the freedom of expression and of the media and provide a safe working environment, measures to protect journalists should be fully operationalized and consistently enforced. Appropriate additional protective measures, including early warning and rapid response mechanisms, could be considered.
Recommendation # in final report:
18
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Media
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
To provide for effective remedy, the law should mandate the Council for Media Services to consider any media-related complaints in the context of the election campaign in an expedient manner.
Recommendation # in final report:
19
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Media
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The capacity and coordination of state institutions and communication with social networks to effectively tackle disinformation could be further strengthened. Preventive measures could prioritize awareness-raising and promotion of media literacy while avoiding restrictions on speech and access to information. Collaboration of civil society organizations, fact-checkers, specialist researchers, and media with the state institutions could be preserved and further strengthened.
Recommendation # in final report:
20
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Media
Secondary thematic area:
Campaign
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The legislation should be revised to explicitly and unambiguously grant access to citizen and international observers to all stages of the electoral process, in line with the OSCE commitments.
Recommendation # in final report:
21
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Citizen and International Observation
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Election Observation
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
Political actors, including parties and electoral contestants, should refrain in their campaigns from any rhetoric of discriminatory or hateful nature targeting minorities and other vulnerable groups that may lead to intolerance and the infringement of basic citizen and electoral rights. Authorities should promptly investigate such instances and proactively conduct awareness-raising campaigns for political parties and voters.
Recommendation # in final report:
22
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign
Secondary thematic area:
Participation of National Minorities
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Participation of National Minorities
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The timelines for adjudicating complaints on election results should be reviewed to protect the right to effective redress. In line with good practice, consideration should be given to guaranteeing the voters’ right to lodge appeals against election results, as well as safeguarding the right to a public hearing involving the parties to the case when adjudicating appeals against final results.
Recommendation # in final report:
23
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Dispute Resolution (EDR)
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Electoral Dispute Resolution
Slovakia
2023
Early election
EAM
Parliamentary
elections
The legal provisions for vote secrecy should be ensured for all voters and enforced by the PECs.
Recommendation # in final report:
24
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Election Day
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Election Day
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
To enhance women's participation in public life, authorities should address gender stereotypes through comprehensive legal, institutional, and educational measures. Political parties and other stakeholders should identify and curb gender-based discriminatory rhetoric and actions that lead to the negative portrayal of women and affect their equal participation.
Recommendation # in final report:
1
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Participation of Women
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Background
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
To harmonize the legal framework and to ensure impartiality, the State Election Commission should be entrusted with the registration of presidential candidates. The law should prescribe procedures for the review of submitted applications and the approval of candidacies.
Recommendation # in final report:
2
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Candidate Registration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Candidate Registration
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
The deadline for the withdrawal of candidates should be reviewed to allow sufficient time for reflecting the changes on printed ballots. Voter information and communication about the withdrawals should be improved to support voters' ability to cast valid and fully informed votes.
Recommendation # in final report:
3
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Candidate Registration
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Candidate Registration
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
The law should provide for a clear separation between official functions and campaigning to prevent candidates and public officials from using the advantage of office for electoral purposes. As previously recommended, provisions to ban the use of public resources for campaign purposes should be considered. This could include a prohibition on initiating social welfare programmes through public funds during the official campaign periods.
Recommendation # in final report:
4
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Election Campaign
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
Campaign-related violations should be promptly addressed, including through timely remedial action and the imposition of proportionate and dissuasive sanctions.
Recommendation # in final report:
5
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign
Secondary thematic area:
Election Dispute Resolution (EDR)
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Election Campaign
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
Relevant authorities should develop, in co-operation with Roma organizations, long-term civic education and election awareness programmes to encourage meaningful and informed electoral participation by Roma voters.
Recommendation # in final report:
6
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Participation of National Minorities
Secondary thematic area:
Campaign
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Election Campaign
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
To further enhance transparency and accountability, the law should comprehensively regulate the use of loans by presidential candidates.
Recommendation # in final report:
7
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
In line with good practice, the spending limits could be based on a form of indexation or regularly reviewed to account for inflation.
Recommendation # in final report:
8
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
The ban on third-party campaign financing should be reviewed to balance between ensuring the freedom of expression while, at the same time, setting reasonable limits on third-party spending to prevent undue distortion of the campaign.
Recommendation # in final report:
9
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
Provisions for campaign reporting by candidates should require the disclosure of information on financial donations received, including from political parties. To enable the verification of information in reports about in-kind contributions and gratuitous services received, candidates could be required to attach the itemized records about such contributions, including in-kind support provided by political parties, to financial reports.
Recommendation # in final report:
10
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
To strengthen oversight and to enhance transparency, the Ministry of Interior could be mandated by law to prepare and publish the conclusions on its monitoring and enforcement activities in connection with candidates' financial reports within a reasonable timeframe.
Recommendation # in final report:
11
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
An independent body could be vested with campaign finance oversight responsibilities.
Recommendation # in final report:
12
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Campaign Finance
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Campaign Finance
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
The allocation of state advertising should be transparent, non-discriminatory, and regulated based on clear and objective criteria.
Recommendation # in final report:
13
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Media
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
To protect the public broadcaster from political influence, adequate safeguards should be introduced in law and in practice to guarantee its editorial independence, financial sustainability, and the appointment of professional, politically unaffiliated management and oversight bodies.
Recommendation # in final report:
14
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Media
Type of change required:
Legal
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Media
Slovakia
2024
EET
Presidential
Authorities should swiftly investigate threats, including online, against journalists. Political actors should refrain from the use of derogatory or aggressive language targeting journalists, which may encourage such attacks.
Recommendation # in final report:
15
Type of recommendation:
Other
Thematic area:
Media
Secondary thematic area:
Election Dispute Resolution (EDR)
Type of change required:
Practice
Status of implementation:
Not evaluated
Final report heading:
Media
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