Newsroom
Rules on Kosovo polling stations approved
PRISTINA 29 September 2000
PRISTINA, 29 September 2000 - As the 28 October municipal elections approach, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo wanted to call attention to the recently adopted Central Election Commission Rule 2000/13. This rule covers procedures and activities pertaining to Polling Stations, Polling Station Committees and voting for the forthcoming municipal elections.
For efficiency and ease in voting, each Polling Station will have a maximum of 700 voters. In most cases, a voter's Polling Station will be in the Registration Centre where he or she registered to vote. This determination is derived from information taken from the Final Voters List. Polling Stations will be located in accessible places with sufficient space to process voters and accommodate the Polling Station Committee and accredited observers.
The Polling Station Committees are responsible for ensuring the conduct of the voting process at the polling station, supervised by the OSCE International Supervisor. The OSCE is appointing Polling Station Committees, comprised of four members and one Chairperson who reflect the different communities in the municipality. No person will be member who: is not a registered voter; holds appointed office or is a candidate; is in the leadership of a political entity; or demonstrates a lack in impartiality necessary to be a member. Committees will be in every Polling Station to manage all activities throughout the polling day from the procedures before voting begins to the count process.
To ensure the security and integrity of the polling station, no weapons will be allowed in the polling station unless the Chairperson or International Supervisor asks for assistance from the police. If there is a threat to peace and order in the polling station, the Chairperson or International Supervisor can temporarily suspend voting for as long as it takes to restore peace. With serious violations of CEC Electoral Rules or OSCE Administrative Procedures the OSCE, the International Supervisor or the CEC reserve the right to suspend polling.
To further protect the integrity of the polling station and persons exercising their right to vote, no election campaign material is to be displayed in the polling station, nor within 100 meters of the Polling Center. This prohibition includes the broadcasting of political campaign information. Such actions are subject to sanctions by the Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission. Blind, illiterate and handicapped voters may select another person to assist them in voting. Provisions are also made to ensure that polling station committees and police personnel can exercise their right to vote. However, members of the Kosovo Protection Corps in uniform are not permitted to enter the Polling Station and vote.
In the event that a violation of the CEC Electoral Rules is observed, there are two measures that can be taken. On the polling day, minor corrective actions can be taken such as removing prohibited campaign materials. Complaints regarding alleged violations can also be lodged with the Election Complaints and Appeals Sub-Commission within 48 hours of the alleged violation. All complaints will then be dealt with by the ECAC within five days.
For further information, contact Roland Bless, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel: (+381-38) 500-162 or satphone: 871-762-009-948 ext. 260 / mobile: (+389-70) 250-576 / email: press@omik.org or website: /kosovo
For efficiency and ease in voting, each Polling Station will have a maximum of 700 voters. In most cases, a voter's Polling Station will be in the Registration Centre where he or she registered to vote. This determination is derived from information taken from the Final Voters List. Polling Stations will be located in accessible places with sufficient space to process voters and accommodate the Polling Station Committee and accredited observers.
The Polling Station Committees are responsible for ensuring the conduct of the voting process at the polling station, supervised by the OSCE International Supervisor. The OSCE is appointing Polling Station Committees, comprised of four members and one Chairperson who reflect the different communities in the municipality. No person will be member who: is not a registered voter; holds appointed office or is a candidate; is in the leadership of a political entity; or demonstrates a lack in impartiality necessary to be a member. Committees will be in every Polling Station to manage all activities throughout the polling day from the procedures before voting begins to the count process.
To ensure the security and integrity of the polling station, no weapons will be allowed in the polling station unless the Chairperson or International Supervisor asks for assistance from the police. If there is a threat to peace and order in the polling station, the Chairperson or International Supervisor can temporarily suspend voting for as long as it takes to restore peace. With serious violations of CEC Electoral Rules or OSCE Administrative Procedures the OSCE, the International Supervisor or the CEC reserve the right to suspend polling.
To further protect the integrity of the polling station and persons exercising their right to vote, no election campaign material is to be displayed in the polling station, nor within 100 meters of the Polling Center. This prohibition includes the broadcasting of political campaign information. Such actions are subject to sanctions by the Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission. Blind, illiterate and handicapped voters may select another person to assist them in voting. Provisions are also made to ensure that polling station committees and police personnel can exercise their right to vote. However, members of the Kosovo Protection Corps in uniform are not permitted to enter the Polling Station and vote.
In the event that a violation of the CEC Electoral Rules is observed, there are two measures that can be taken. On the polling day, minor corrective actions can be taken such as removing prohibited campaign materials. Complaints regarding alleged violations can also be lodged with the Election Complaints and Appeals Sub-Commission within 48 hours of the alleged violation. All complaints will then be dealt with by the ECAC within five days.
For further information, contact Roland Bless, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel: (+381-38) 500-162 or satphone: 871-762-009-948 ext. 260 / mobile: (+389-70) 250-576 / email: press@omik.org or website: /kosovo