In a decision issued on June 13 following a complaint filed by CRTA, the Anti-Corruption Agency determined that the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) violated the provisions of Article 23, paragraph 1 in connection with Article 2, item 5 of the Law on Financing Political Activities by publishing three campaign videos on its official party account sns_zaječar during the election campaign for the local elections in Zaječar.
The Agency ordered the removal of the videos and issued a warning to SNS to comply with legal provisions in future election campaigns.
In the first video, a washing machine is presented to a socially vulnerable family of five from Zaječar. The event was attended by Vladimir Videnović, a candidate on the electoral list “We Will Not Give Up Serbia – Aleksandar Vučić” and Deputy Mayor of Zaječar, and Darija Tepavčević Kisić, a member of the SNS Presidency. The Agency concluded that this SNS activity cannot be considered work with voters and party members, promotion, or another activity whose costs are clearly connected to the election campaign.
In the second video, party representatives distribute sports jerseys to citizens, accompanied by a statement from Vladimir Videnović. This activity was also assessed as not falling within the activities permitted during an election campaign for a political subject.
The third disputed video shows the handing over of vehicle keys to a representative of a local hunting association, again in the presence of candidate and Deputy Mayor Vladimir Videnović, as well as Dragan Glamočić, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. This activity was likewise not considered an activity permitted by law during an election campaign.
All three videos displayed the SNS logo in the upper right corner and ended with the name of the electoral list and an image of the number 1 circled on the ballot paper.
The Agency ordered the removal of the videos and issued a warning to SNS to comply with legal provisions in future election campaigns.
In the first video, a washing machine is presented to a socially vulnerable family of five from Zaječar. The event was attended by Vladimir Videnović, a candidate on the electoral list “We Will Not Give Up Serbia – Aleksandar Vučić” and Deputy Mayor of Zaječar, and Darija Tepavčević Kisić, a member of the SNS Presidency. The Agency concluded that this SNS activity cannot be considered work with voters and party members, promotion, or another activity whose costs are clearly connected to the election campaign.
In the second video, party representatives distribute sports jerseys to citizens, accompanied by a statement from Vladimir Videnović. This activity was also assessed as not falling within the activities permitted during an election campaign for a political subject.
The third disputed video shows the handing over of vehicle keys to a representative of a local hunting association, again in the presence of candidate and Deputy Mayor Vladimir Videnović, as well as Dragan Glamočić, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. This activity was likewise not considered an activity permitted by law during an election campaign.
All three videos displayed the SNS logo in the upper right corner and ended with the name of the electoral list and an image of the number 1 circled on the ballot paper.
