Braathu and Daka call for free and transparent elections

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV) 

Speaking from the Central Election Commission (CEC) premises, the Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jan Braathu, called for free and transparent elections.

Braathu said that the Mission he heads will continue to support the CEC for as long as the leaders of the latter consider that they need support.

“The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is here to help the people. The election process should be transparent and let us make efforts not to have problems,” Ambassador Braathu said.

On the other hand, the CEC chairperson Valdete Daka said that different from the earlier times, the OSCE’s role in these elections will be more limited.

“Our institution needs far more less technical support from you. So, this role is limited only to support to CEC for four municipalities, and that in regard to technical advice for Municipal Election Commissions and technical support on the Election Day for committees in the polling stations,” Daka told Ambassador Braathu.

Daka called on citizens to exercise their right to vote, while she called on political entities, candidates, and their supporters to adhere to laws and the electoral regulation. 

Apostolova calls for rejection of forms that undermine integrity of electoral process

(RTK1) 

Through a press statement issued, Head of the EU Office in Kosovo Nataliya Apostolova called upon all responsible individuals, candidates and prospective leaders of political entities to refrain from language and reject all forms of pressure that can undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

“Much is at stake and Kosovo people need to feel confident that they are free from any pressures in order to make independent and free choices,” Apostolova said.

The statement also reads that recent reports citing intimidation run counter to this expectation. 

OSCE Mission in Kosovo presented report on representation of communities in civil service

(RTK2)

Report of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo on representation of communities in the civil service in Kosovo presents a continuation of assessment of the same municipalities and institutions that were also included in the 2013 report. Data from 01 January 2013 to 31 December 2015 have been updated in it.

The data published show that most of recommendations from the OSCE’s report from 2013 were not implemented to the satisfactory degree.

“What has been done is that legal regulations that guarantee fair representation of communities in a numerical minority in the civil service at the central and local level were assessed. This report also uses the same methodology as the 2013 report. It provides the opportunity to compare the progress. 18 ministries, respectively central institutions, out of 22 in total, while 34 out of 38 municipalities in Kosovo were examined in the report,” stated Nikola Petrovski, Chief of the Communities Section in the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

The analysis show that the legal minimum regarding the representation of non-majority community members was not respected in 22 municipalities. According to this report, Serb community is the most represented in public service.

“It is necessary to improve representation of communities in more senior positions. For this purpose, trainings will be organised for those who are in civil service in order to enable them to advance to senior positions and secure adequate allocation of budgetary funds to ensure that all obligations from the regulation are fully implemented,” said Anita McKinna, Communities Protection Officer in the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

The conclusion of the presented report is that central and municipal level institutions do not fully implement their legal obligations in the aspect of taking concrete measures for employment of non-majority community members in civil service. 

Srpska List with video spot against Kosovo Armed Force

(KTV) 

With Ramush Haradinaj at the head of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Srpska List begins its video of the election campaign for June 11 general elections.

Through this video, it is emphasized that only Srpska List can prevent transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into an Army.

“Elections that are coming are decisive for our people. Each vote is important to prevent establishment of the so-called Kosovo Army in our home, to defend institutions of the Republic of Serbia from extinction, to protect the remaining endangered Serbs in Kosovo,” the video spot states.

Calling Kosovo our home, the video says that only Srpska List enjoys the support of Belgrade.

Srpska List launched the election campaign on Wednesday in Leposavic/Leposaviq, where the Head of Serbian Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric, also addressed the people present. 

Clashes of Kosovo Serb representatives moved to CEC

(KTV) 

Recent clashes between Serbs have also moved to institutions dealing with complaints by political entities and candidates of political parties.

Only within the first two weeks, Serb candidates and political parties have filed dozens of complaints.

There are those who have left the party lists without their will and knowledge, and some voluntarily, without telling the true reasons why they did it.

In documents filed to the institutions, Serbs refer to defence of Kosovo Constitution, although they declaratively say that they do not recognize it.

This happened following Belgrade pressure for Serbs to compete only under the umbrella of Srpska List and attempts to disable competition of other Serb entities.

The Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms reacted against this decision. 

Political parties sign a Code of Conduct statement for elections

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Political entities signed a joint statement on the Code of Conduct. With this, representatives of political entities confirmed their pledge to safeguard democratic norms and non-use of language of hatred.

Entities expressed their full confidence that the electoral process will be fair and democratic.

Political entities call on all their members, candidates, coalition partners to adhere to these principles. It is also called on all the nongovernmental, governmental and international organisations to monitor the electoral process and implementation of these principles.

They call for addressing of any potential hindrance to extensive participation in elections and pledge to recognise their results, a press release issued states.

British Embassy: We take reports on media intimidation very seriously

(Klan Kosova & RTK2)

After Wednesday’s announcement of the U.S. Embassy in Prishtinë/Pristina that intimidation of political candidates, journalists and their families is taking place in different places, the British Embassy also issued a statement on Thursday.

“We are already hearing reports of media intimidation, which we are taking seriously. The media can be a powerful vehicle to hold power to account, and help people make informed decisions about who they want to be their democratically elected representatives. This is especially important in the run-up to elections,” Embassy’s statement reads, Kossev portal reported.

In the meantime, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised UK citizens not to travel to Kosovo’s northern municipalities of Zvecan/Zveçan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic/Leposaviq, and to the northern part of the city of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë, Klan Kosova reported.

An announcement of this Office says that although the frequency of protests in central Prishtinë/Pristina has subsided of late but more are possible in the coming weeks. It adds that protests have the potential to turn violent.

As far the northern part is concerned, it says that there have been incidents involving grenades and vehicle explosions.