Kosovo elections: Rules adopted on Municipal Election Commissions and election observation
The OSCE will organize the 17 November 2001 Kosovo-wide vote. (Lubomir Kotek/OSCE) Photo details
PRISTINA, 13 June 2001 - The Kosovo Central Election Commission yesterday adopted two further rules with the aim of building a comprehensive framework for a transparent and credible election process.
Electoral Rule No. 4/2001 details the role of the Municipal Election Commissions (MEC). These are the professional and non-political bodies established last year by the CEC in each of Kosovo's 30 municipalities to assist in the conduct of elections. MECs are responsible for providing information to voters and political entities about their rights and obligations. As elections draw closer, they also appoint and train Polling Station Committees and assist in technical arrangements at polling stations.
A significant change for the MECs is a Code of Conduct. All members must agree to comply with this code as a key to ensuring that the entire electoral process meets international standards. As part of this process, the OSCE will also be evaluating the performance of MEC members.
The OSCE has been providing training to MECs since the municipal elections to develop their professional capacities, as these bodies will gradually take over administration of the election process in the future.
Observers too play a vital role by instilling confidence in the electoral process. Electoral Rule No. 5/2001 will allow representatives of domestic NGOs and political entities, who are accredited by the CEC, to observe the voter registration and elections processes. All observers must be registered voters and sign a statement that they will abide by the electoral rules. They must remain impartial, be politically neutral and refrain from interfering with electoral activities. Observers should note and report irregularities related to the election process during their work.
During the municipal elections, more than 6,000 representatives of domestic NGOs and political entities actively participated as observers, indicating the high level of fairness and transparency of the process.
The CEC also discussed gender and geographic recommendations for political entity candidate lists. Such requirements are meant to allow a mix of both women and geographic areas on a political entity's candidate list.
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For more information please contact Claire Trevena, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel.: (+381-38) 500-162 ext. 260, mobile: +377 (044) 500-150; e-mail: press@omik.org, website: www.osce.org/kosovo.
Electoral Rule No. 4/2001 details the role of the Municipal Election Commissions (MEC). These are the professional and non-political bodies established last year by the CEC in each of Kosovo's 30 municipalities to assist in the conduct of elections. MECs are responsible for providing information to voters and political entities about their rights and obligations. As elections draw closer, they also appoint and train Polling Station Committees and assist in technical arrangements at polling stations.
A significant change for the MECs is a Code of Conduct. All members must agree to comply with this code as a key to ensuring that the entire electoral process meets international standards. As part of this process, the OSCE will also be evaluating the performance of MEC members.
The OSCE has been providing training to MECs since the municipal elections to develop their professional capacities, as these bodies will gradually take over administration of the election process in the future.
Observers too play a vital role by instilling confidence in the electoral process. Electoral Rule No. 5/2001 will allow representatives of domestic NGOs and political entities, who are accredited by the CEC, to observe the voter registration and elections processes. All observers must be registered voters and sign a statement that they will abide by the electoral rules. They must remain impartial, be politically neutral and refrain from interfering with electoral activities. Observers should note and report irregularities related to the election process during their work.
During the municipal elections, more than 6,000 representatives of domestic NGOs and political entities actively participated as observers, indicating the high level of fairness and transparency of the process.
The CEC also discussed gender and geographic recommendations for political entity candidate lists. Such requirements are meant to allow a mix of both women and geographic areas on a political entity's candidate list.
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For more information please contact Claire Trevena, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel.: (+381-38) 500-162 ext. 260, mobile: +377 (044) 500-150; e-mail: press@omik.org, website: www.osce.org/kosovo.