Seminars on electoral systems for Kosovo opinion leaders

PRISTINA, 29 March 2001 - The Central Elections Commission secretariat is holding a series of information seminars on electoral systems throughout Kosovo over the coming days.

The presentations are aimed at providing local opinion leaders with an understanding of how electoral systems are chosen and how they work. The invitees, who represent a broad cross-section of Kosovo society at the regional level, are people who are in a position to inform other members of their local communities. They include representatives of political parties, non-governmental organizations and media outlets.There are several factors, which must be considered when defining the objectives of an electoral system. Issues to consider are:

• Does the elected assembly reflect the party preferences of the voters?
• Do all votes have equal value?
• Can every eligible voter participate in the election?
• Do voters, political entities, candidates, the media understand thesystem?
• Does the system accommodate special needs groups, such as smallercommunities or disabled people?
• Does everyone have confidence in the system?
• Is the ballot secret?

When deciding which electoral system to use, elements to consider include the size of the assembly, voter eligibility, the number of constituencies. Minority representation and whether seats will be filled on the basis of proportional representation, majority representation or a combination of both, are also matters to be decided.The first seminar takes place in Mitrovice/Kosovska Mitrovica today. It follows a similar presentation in Pristine/Pristina earlier this month, which was well received by those who attended. The other seminars will take place in Prizren/Prizren and Gjilan/Gnjilane, on Friday 30 March, as well as Peja/Pec on Tuesday 2 April.UN Special Representative, Hans Haekkerup, will decide which electoral system Kosovo will use for assembly elections.