The European Union Election Observation Mission for Kosovo local elections 2017, presented today the report on the election runoff held last Sunday. They assessed that despite some problems, the elections were successful.

Head of the EU Observation Mission, Alojz Peterle, said that EU observers noticed that there were tensions in Gjakova/Djakovic and Mitrovica municipalities. He added that Central Election Commission should see to the procedures that should be followed for these cases.

“We noticed increase of tensions in several municipalities where the competitors accused each-other for pressure. Atmosphere in Partesh/Partes and Kllokot/Klokot was polarized but without any major incident,” he said.

Peterle said some significant aspects of the voting and counting process should be addressed.

“The elections day was good and without problems. Our observers observed 292 polling stations throughout Kosovo. They saw a good transparency. Voting commenced in an efficient manner. Voting facilities were difficult to be accessed by people with limited abilities, where half of them were functional,” he said.

“The process of recounting took place in presence of representatives of the political parties and it was also observed by our observers. The Election Complaint and Appeal Panel (ECAP) rejected several complaints which were submitted in a regular manner, which led to increase of the number of complaints. The percentage of invalid ballots remains high. Thirty percent from the total number of ballots had to be recounted. Ten percent of the analyzed forms represent mismatch with votes…ECAP received 505 complaints after publication of the results. Five competitions are in close margins, where counting of conditional votes and those from diaspora could determine the results on these municipalities,” he said.

 “Some of the problems were noticed also in past elections. We have to stress clearly that our assessments will make sense only if our recommendations are considered and implemented. I hope that I will not be invited soon to observe elections in Kosovo. I think that after these elections, the time has come to act,” Peterle said.