Kosovo Central Election Commission sets dates for political entity certification

PRISTINA, 8 May 2002 - Political entities wishing to contest the 26 October municipal elections will have to meet a list of requirements from 3 to 28 June before the Central Election Commission (CEC) approves their application. Once certified, political entities will also have to demonstrate financial transparency for the campaign period.

Electoral Rule 4/2002 details the certification procedures for political parties, coalitions, citizens' initiatives and independent candidates. Every entity that wants to be included on the ballot paper for the 2002 municipal elections and field candidates will have to submit a formal application to the CEC. The application forms will be available at OSCE offices from 3 June onwards. If the application meets the requirements laid down in the rule, they will formally be authorized - or certified - to do so.

Political entities applying must agree to sign up to the Electoral Rules, including the Code of Conduct, and submit a short policy statement. The rule stipulates that each application must be supported by at least 100 signatures of people eligible to vote in each municipality which they will be contesting. The CEC will verify the validity of the signatures submitted to guard against fraud. In addition, each entity must deposit a fee of EUR 100 for each municipality in which they wish to contest.

All outstanding financial penalties imposed on political entities by the Election Complaints and Appeals Sub-Commission (ECAC) for breaking the rules during the Assembly election must be paid in full before certification for the municipal elections can be approved.

The CEC's financial disclosure rule aims to ensure transparency and public accountability during the 45-day campaign period. Certified political entities will be required to submit reports, prior to and following the campaign, disclosing all campaign income and expenditures statements, along with the assets they hold.

In addition, a campaign spending limit of EUR 0.50 per registered voter was set. This figure will be determined from the number of voters on the Final Voters List.

To assist in compliance with the rule, the OSCE will set up a Political Finance Audit Office to work with political entities in how to properly account for cost associated with a campaign, as well as how to publish reports in the most accurate way. This is intended to build the capacity of political entities and is intended to pave the way for a more complete, efficient and sustainable system of financial disclosure.