Following the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) not to certify the Srpska list for local elections, the Quint Group (France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom) and the EU Office in Kosovo have expressed deep concern. In a joint reaction, they point out that “Any action to exclude certain communities undermines democratic principles and erodes confidence in Kosovo institutions.”
The reaction comes after yesterday’s vote at the CEC, where the recommendation for certification of the Srpska list received only two votes in favor, two against and seven abstentions, leaving it out of the October 12 elections.
Quint and EU demanded that all procedures be carried out in strict compliance with the rules and mandate of the CEC and called on the government in office and all political parties of “Refrain from further steps that can hinder the registration of parties.”
At the end of the response, they encouraged the SRPSKA list to use all legal remedies, including the Panel on Complaints and Electoral Lays (PZAP), to seek solutions.
Exclusion of the SRPSKA List from Local Elections, appeal to the Panel for Complaints and Disputes
Kosovo’s largest Serbian party, SRPSKA List, has filed a complaint to the Panel for Appeals and Appeals (ECAP), as the Central Election Commission (CEC) decided not to certify it for the October 12 local elections. This decision has caused a strong reaction from Serbia, where Foreign Minister Marko Djuric described it as “A flagrant example of political engineering aimed at the exclusion of the Serbian people from democratic life.”
Representatives of the Srpska List called the CEC’s decision “unlawful and discriminatory”, directly accusing the in office, Albin Kurti. The chairman of the Srpska List, Zlatan Ellek, said the action aims to “separate the Serbian political body” and added that they would take all legal actions to ensure the certification of their candidates.
The CEC decision came after members of the Vetevendosje Movement voted against certification, arguing that Srpska List exponents are part of Serbian parallel structures, which is unlawful. Meanwhile, members of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, the Democratic League of Kosovo and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo abstained.
