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OSCE calls for openness and accountability in Kosovo elections
PRISTINA 13 September 2000
PRISTINA, 13 September 2000 - OSCE Head of Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Daan Everts, has called on all those contesting the forthcoming municipal elections to be open with and accountable to the people.
Ambassador Everts was speaking on his own behalf and on behalf of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Dr. Bernhard Kouchner, at a special event in Pristina to launch the election campaign period together with the Commander of KFOR, Lieutenant General Juan Ortuno.
With 45 days to go to election day, important legal provisions, covering campaign expenditure as well as the provisions on fair and equitable media coverage, free and equitable campaign advertising on the broadcast media and paid campaign advertising in the print media now come into effect.
Electoral Rule No. 2000/12 on Campaign Finance Disclosure and Spending Limits imposes a campaign spending limit on the amount of money political parties, coalitions, citizens initiatives and independent candidates may spend on their election campaigns. The limit is 1DM per voter in the municipalities in which they are running for office.
Electoral Rule No. 2000/11 on the Media during the Electoral Campaign stipulates that the media must give fair and equitable news coverage as well as fair exposure through interviews, articles, debates and coverage of campaign activities. The broadcast media are also bound by rules that provide for free and equitable broadcast time for direct access by those certified to contest the elections.
In his address, Ambassador Everts reminded all candidates of the need to focus on local issues in their campaigns and of the importance of being transparent with the electorate.
He referred to the wide international interest in the 28 October elections and the need for Kosovo political parties and its electorate to meet democratic standards and open a new era of true multi-party democracy. Ambassador Everts also issued a strong warning about the risk of violence marring the quality of the elections and demanded strict adherence to the Code of Conduct, to which all the political entities have signed up.
For further information contact Press and Public Information, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel. +381 38 500 162 or by e-mail: press@omik.org. Additional information on website: www.osce.org/kosovo
Ambassador Everts was speaking on his own behalf and on behalf of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Dr. Bernhard Kouchner, at a special event in Pristina to launch the election campaign period together with the Commander of KFOR, Lieutenant General Juan Ortuno.
With 45 days to go to election day, important legal provisions, covering campaign expenditure as well as the provisions on fair and equitable media coverage, free and equitable campaign advertising on the broadcast media and paid campaign advertising in the print media now come into effect.
Electoral Rule No. 2000/12 on Campaign Finance Disclosure and Spending Limits imposes a campaign spending limit on the amount of money political parties, coalitions, citizens initiatives and independent candidates may spend on their election campaigns. The limit is 1DM per voter in the municipalities in which they are running for office.
Electoral Rule No. 2000/11 on the Media during the Electoral Campaign stipulates that the media must give fair and equitable news coverage as well as fair exposure through interviews, articles, debates and coverage of campaign activities. The broadcast media are also bound by rules that provide for free and equitable broadcast time for direct access by those certified to contest the elections.
In his address, Ambassador Everts reminded all candidates of the need to focus on local issues in their campaigns and of the importance of being transparent with the electorate.
He referred to the wide international interest in the 28 October elections and the need for Kosovo political parties and its electorate to meet democratic standards and open a new era of true multi-party democracy. Ambassador Everts also issued a strong warning about the risk of violence marring the quality of the elections and demanded strict adherence to the Code of Conduct, to which all the political entities have signed up.
For further information contact Press and Public Information, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel. +381 38 500 162 or by e-mail: press@omik.org. Additional information on website: www.osce.org/kosovo