KFOR supported local elections in Kosovo
(RTK2)
KFOR, in accordance with its mandate deriving from UNSCR 1244, contributed to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement by monitoring constantly the situation, in close coordination with the International Community (IC), Organization for Security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Kosovo Police (KP), and European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX).
KFOR developed a specific plan aiming to perform its tasks firmly, carefully and impartially, by deploying Kosovo wide more than 2020 soldiers, 300 vehicles and 5 helicopters, some of them with medical evacuation capability. Per OSCE specific request, KFOR also provided security to the OSCE personnel in Kosovo Serb populated municipalities in the North of the region, a statement issued by KFOR reads.
U.S. Embassy congratulates Kosovo on successful round of elections
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
The United States Embassy congratulates Kosovo people on the successful completion of the first round of municipal elections.
“We commend the Central Election Commission, the Polling Commissioners, the OSCE and all of the monitoring and observation teams for their hard work. While we are concerned by some reports of outdated voter registries, double-voting and other sporadic irregularities, we hope some of these issues can be addressed before the next round of municipal voting in November,” reads a statement of U.S. Embassy in Kosovo.
As the statement adds, the increased voter turnout and smooth election procedures in much of the country are positive signs for Kosovo’s democracy.
“We will continue to support Kosovo institutions as they quickly prepare for another round of voting and follow up on reports of irregularities and violations from this round. We hope that all municipal officials already elected will commit to positive change, on behalf of all of their constituents, which will move Kosovo forward on the path of full Euro-Atlantic integration,” the statement ends.
Veseli uses his position as Assembly Speaker to speak about PDK victory
(KTV)
One day after the election process, Kosovo Assembly restarted its work.
The Assembly Presidency convened on Monday, but using the Assembly premises Speaker Kadri Veseli also spoke as the PDK leader.
From the podium, Veseli was confident about the municipalities that PDK will win in runoff elections.
He said that no one should be unhappy with the election results, because, according to him, Kosovo has stamped its Western orientation.
At the meeting, the Presidency scheduled Assembly plenary session for Wednesday, in which 2017 Budget will be discussed.
CEC to present election results as soon as possible
(TV21)
Central Election Commission (CEC) announces that final results of October 22 local elections will be presented as soon as possible. CEC spokesperson Valmir Elezi said that Count and Result Centre (CRC) have started scanning result forms for all polling stations. After the scanning, forms will be published on CEC website and all candidates for mayors or for municipal assemblies can see their results for each polling station.
According to Elezi, CRC will soon start counting conditional ballots, by-mail ballots, and ballots of persons with special needs.
Pursuant to Law on Elections, second round of mayoral elections shall take place four weeks after the first round, which means on 19th November.
In an interview with TV21, CEC Secretariat Chief Executive Officer Enis Halimi said that according to preliminary results, 19 municipalities will go to runoff elections.
Halimi explained that ballot counting was completed on Sunday evening, but some troubles occurred in ballot processing; therefore, CEC officers are manually processing and entering data for those polling stations in which technical problems had occurred.
On behalf of Secretariat, Halimi apologised for CEC website’s technical failure on Sunday, which, consequently, made it impossible for CEC to present preliminary results in time. However, he said that it has not affected the election result accuracy.
For a while, CEC declared deceased Ranilug/Ranillug mayor as winner
(KTV)
Central Election Commission (CEC) declared as winner in Ranilug/Ranillug municipality its former mayor Gradimir Mikic, who died in a traffic accident in September this year.
On CEC website it was stated that Mikic got 77.62 percent of votes, instead of writing the name of Vladica Aritonovic, who ran for mayor of Ranilug/Ranillug, following Mikic’s death.
CEC officials said that it was a technical error.
CEC spokesperson Valmir Elezi said that Mikic’s name was timely replaced with Aritonovic on ballots and in all election materials, but by mistake, name of the deceased mayor remained on the graphics where election results are presented.
CRC to receive sensitive material in time
(RTK1)
The process of receiving sensitive election material will be completed within planned timeline. This was stated to RTK by Burim Ahmetaj, Count and Result Centre (CRC) Coordinator.
Ahmetaj said that counting of conditional and by-mail ballots will begin by the end of week, saying that regular ballot count has been done at polling stations.
Ahmetaj said that presentation of election results for municipal assemblies takes longer, because the number of candidates is larger.
Serbs caught with hand grenades put under 48-hour detention
(KTV)
The three persons arrested on Sunday by Kosovo Police at the Jarinje border crossing, have been put under 48-hour detention.
Police found two hand grenades and starting detonators in the passenger bus with Serbian plates, which was coming from Serbia to Kosovo.
