Central Election Commission (CEC) rejected a bit more than a half out of 25.433 Serb’s applications out of Kosovo for registration in the electoral roll. Around 9.000 thousand persons have appealed  CEC’s decision, whereas in next two days it will be known whether they will be enrolled, in the end,  in the electoral roll.

The Elections Complaints and Appeals Panel is considering eight thousand appeals of Serb voters. Even though the Central Election Commission has certified the final list of voters, without waiting for the conclusion of the process of appeals for rejecting Serb applications, the list can be changed due to the eight thousand appeals that are being considered by the Elections Complaints and Appeals Panel.

If the appeals are considered to be grounded, then CEC members warn on problems during the voting process.

On the front page, the paper runs an interview with the head of the OSCE mission in Kosovo, Jean-Claude Schlumberger, who is quoted as saying that in order to avoid a boycott of the elections in the north, all outstanding issues need to be resolved before 8 June. He also stressed the importance of constructive engagement and understanding the historical situation in the north. “This would be the best recipe to ensure participation and avoid a boycott”, said Ambassador Schlumberger.

The Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Kosovo, Ian Cliff, is convinced that Kosovo needs new political faces, especially those who intend to bring economic development. He said that the outgoing government has failed to create prospects for the youth. Even though he openly criticizes the failure to complete election reform, he requests all parties not to manipulate votes, warning that there will be consequences. Also in the interview, Cliff says the dialogue with Serbia should continue, no matter who will be heading the future government.

The German Ambassador in Kosovo, Peter Blomeyer, spoke about an analysis of the Ljubljana-based International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES), which says the international community would like to see war leaders removed in Kosovo. The German Ambassador rejected this analysis, saying that Germany is neutral with regards to who will win the elections. He said, “Germany will support whoever wins. We only request that the elections be democratic,” said Peter Blomeyer.

The outgoing Minister of Interior, Bajram Rexhepi, stated in an interview for this daily that all parties are aware that holding free, fair and democratic elections, according to European standards, is in the nation’s interest, as assessment of the elections will have an impact on visa liberalization and European integration. “We have already made all the preparations for the early general elections.

Mayors of Serb-majority municipalities held a joint meeting in Mitrovica and warned that conditions for the participation of Serbs in the 8 June elections have not yet been met. Mayors Goran Rakic (Mitrovica North), Dragan Jablanovic (Leposavic/Leposaviq), Stevan Vulovic (Zubin Potok), Dragan Nikolic (Partesh/Partes), Gradimir Mikic (Ranilug/Ranillug), and Srecko Spasic (Kllokot/Klokot), said the basic principles of democracy and European values are still being violated.

In the 8 June elections, fraud will be less likely because the election process will be observed by hundreds of policemen and prosecutors, fraud will be investigated as a priority, and the punishment will be at least 5 years in jail. State Prosecutor Laura Pula said that the Prosecution dealt with 1600 fraud cases during the 2010 elections, and will conduct even wider investigations this time around, to identify fraud suspects.