XI. Complaints and appeals procedures

The 2011 joint opinion expressed concerns regarding the possibility to appeal a denial of registration of a political party or a coalition for the elections.63 The opinion noted a lack of clarity as to whether a denial could be appealed and the applicable deadline if the denial was appealable. Both these concerns are addressed in the draft Code. Article 58 of the draft Code expressly states that the decisions of the CEC are appealable to the Supreme Administrative Court within a deadline of three days from the date of the announcement of the decision. Article 58 also requires the Supreme Administrative Court to examine the case and pronounce a decision within three days. Article 134(3) addresses a refusal of registration for political parties and states that denial of registration is appealable to the Supreme Administrative Court pursuant to the procedures of Article 58. Similar provisions are stated in Article 141 concerning a decision denying the registration of a coalition for the elections; Article 154 concerning a decision denying the registration of a nomination committee; and Article 256 concerning a decision denying the registration of candidates. The draft Code addresses the 2011 joint opinion concerns over clarity and deadlines for appeal of decisions denying political party or coalition registration.