The last Joint Opinion reiterated the recommendation offered in the OSCE/ODIHR EOM Final Report on the 2005 elections that mechanisms be introduced to ensure that DEC members drawn from the judiciary are not serving as sitting judges during their term as DEC members. Of particular concern was the fact that “this practice raises a question of a possible conflict of interest since the court, where these DEC members normally work, may also have to handle election-related complaints and appeals”.[7] It is regrettable that no amendment was made to the Electoral Code to address this issue.
