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Decisions by Kosovo Election Complaints and Appeals Sub-Commission
PRISTINA 25 October 2000
PRISTINA, 25 October 2000 - At its 10th session on 24 October 2000, the Kosovo Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission (ECAC) issued several decisions and handed out judgements to political entities for breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct in 21 cases. The ECAC has also issued an enforcement order pursuant to Case No. ME 2000/37 by which candidate number 10 on the PDK list for Lipjan/Lipljan, Abdurrahman Konjufca, is to be stricken. The details of each decision are attached.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/140 - Public Display and Use of Weapons
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) held a rally in Skenderaj/Srbica municipality on 14 October 2000 at which celebratory fire was witnessed during speeches and throughout the event. None of the speakers made any attempt to stop the shooting. The ECAC reminded the PDK that according to the Code of Conduct the party is responsible for the actions of its supporters. As the PDK had been previously sanctioned for a similar incident, the ECAC fined PDK Skenderaj/Srbica 1,500 DEM and reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/142 - Political Rally Disruption in Shtime/Stimlje
On 17 October 2000, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) held a political rally in Shtime/Stimlje. Supporters of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) gathered across the road chanting PDK slogans and then moved across the road towards the LDK rally. UN Police detained five PDK supporters for public disorder at a political rally and disobeying an order from a law enforcement agent. As PDK supporters seriously violated Electoral Rule 2000/1, the ECAC has decided that one candidate from the first five candidates on the PDK list for Shtime/Stimlje should be stricken. If the PDK does not indicate within three days which candidate is to be stricken, the ECAC will strike the first candidate on the list.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/145 - AAK Supporters in Rahovec/Orahovac
On 15 October 2000, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) held a political rally in Rahovec/Orahovac at which two supporters of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) were seen distributing posters with inflammatory text. It was noted by the ECAC that in using the innocence of young girls the AAK tried to disguise its real intention of disturbing the rally. The ECAC found AAK Rahovec/Orahovac in violation of the Electoral Code of Contact and fined the AAK 1,000 DEM. The ECAC also reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/154 - Inequitable Media Coverage
The ECAC received a complaint against Radio Kosova e Lire for violations of Electoral Rule 2000/11 and the Broadcast Code of Conduct. Statistical data indicates that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) had received four times the coverage of any other party. The ECAC accepted the suggestion of the Media Advisory Panel (MAP), and invites the Temporary Media Commissioner to write to Radio Kosova e Lire, advising the editorial board to take immediate action to 'soften' their editorial policy with a view to giving fair and equitable coverage of political entities as mandated in the Broadcast Code of Conduct and Electoral Rule 2000/11. Further, Radio Kosova e Lire should be reminded that such violations should be taken into consideration when their license is due for renewal
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/155 - Broadcasting of Political Spot
The ECAC received a complaint against Radio Mitrovica, alleging that it had failed to broadcast a political spot for the Liberal Center Party of Kosovo (PQLK) according to the schedule established to Administrative Procedure 1 implementing Electoral Rule 2000/11. Instead, it broadcast an illegal spot. The ECAC accepted the recommendation of the Media Advisory Panel (MAP), and invites the Temporary Media Commissioner to inform Radio Mitrovica that the complaint of this serious violation has been upheld. Further to the recommendation of the MAP, the ECAC orders Radio Mitrovica to rectify the situation by airing the PQLK spot within 24 hours, but before the election silence period. The TMC should indicate to Radio Mitrovica that this breach of the rules should be taken into account when the process of licensing is reviewed.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/051S - Defacing Public Buildings
On 5 October 2000, the ECAC issued Decision ME2000/051 against the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) for extensive graffiti on public buildings and structures in the Obiliq/Obilic, ordering a fine of 2,500 DEM to be paid within five days. A warning letter was sent and to date the LDK has declined to pay this fine. The ECAC decided that one candidate from the first five candidates on the LDK list for Obiliq/Obilic should be stricken. If the LDK does not indicate which candidate is to be stricken, the ECAC will strike the first candidate on the list.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/059S - PDK Rally in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje
On 3 October 2000, the ECAC issued Decision ME2000/059 against the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) for a rally it attempted to hold in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje in contravention of a Notice to Change Rally issued by the Director of Elections. In that decision, the ECAC levied a fine of 5,000 DEM which has not been paid to date. The ECAC decided that one candidate from the first five candidates on the PDK list for Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje should be stricken. If the PDK does not indicate which candidate is to be stricken, the ECAC will strike the first candidate on the list.
The remaining 14 complaints dealt with by the ECAC at its 10th Session were dismissed.
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 / e-mail: press@omik.org or website: //www.osce.org/kosovo
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/140 - Public Display and Use of Weapons
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) held a rally in Skenderaj/Srbica municipality on 14 October 2000 at which celebratory fire was witnessed during speeches and throughout the event. None of the speakers made any attempt to stop the shooting. The ECAC reminded the PDK that according to the Code of Conduct the party is responsible for the actions of its supporters. As the PDK had been previously sanctioned for a similar incident, the ECAC fined PDK Skenderaj/Srbica 1,500 DEM and reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/142 - Political Rally Disruption in Shtime/Stimlje
On 17 October 2000, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) held a political rally in Shtime/Stimlje. Supporters of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) gathered across the road chanting PDK slogans and then moved across the road towards the LDK rally. UN Police detained five PDK supporters for public disorder at a political rally and disobeying an order from a law enforcement agent. As PDK supporters seriously violated Electoral Rule 2000/1, the ECAC has decided that one candidate from the first five candidates on the PDK list for Shtime/Stimlje should be stricken. If the PDK does not indicate within three days which candidate is to be stricken, the ECAC will strike the first candidate on the list.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/145 - AAK Supporters in Rahovec/Orahovac
On 15 October 2000, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) held a political rally in Rahovec/Orahovac at which two supporters of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) were seen distributing posters with inflammatory text. It was noted by the ECAC that in using the innocence of young girls the AAK tried to disguise its real intention of disturbing the rally. The ECAC found AAK Rahovec/Orahovac in violation of the Electoral Code of Contact and fined the AAK 1,000 DEM. The ECAC also reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/154 - Inequitable Media Coverage
The ECAC received a complaint against Radio Kosova e Lire for violations of Electoral Rule 2000/11 and the Broadcast Code of Conduct. Statistical data indicates that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) had received four times the coverage of any other party. The ECAC accepted the suggestion of the Media Advisory Panel (MAP), and invites the Temporary Media Commissioner to write to Radio Kosova e Lire, advising the editorial board to take immediate action to 'soften' their editorial policy with a view to giving fair and equitable coverage of political entities as mandated in the Broadcast Code of Conduct and Electoral Rule 2000/11. Further, Radio Kosova e Lire should be reminded that such violations should be taken into consideration when their license is due for renewal
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/155 - Broadcasting of Political Spot
The ECAC received a complaint against Radio Mitrovica, alleging that it had failed to broadcast a political spot for the Liberal Center Party of Kosovo (PQLK) according to the schedule established to Administrative Procedure 1 implementing Electoral Rule 2000/11. Instead, it broadcast an illegal spot. The ECAC accepted the recommendation of the Media Advisory Panel (MAP), and invites the Temporary Media Commissioner to inform Radio Mitrovica that the complaint of this serious violation has been upheld. Further to the recommendation of the MAP, the ECAC orders Radio Mitrovica to rectify the situation by airing the PQLK spot within 24 hours, but before the election silence period. The TMC should indicate to Radio Mitrovica that this breach of the rules should be taken into account when the process of licensing is reviewed.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/051S - Defacing Public Buildings
On 5 October 2000, the ECAC issued Decision ME2000/051 against the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) for extensive graffiti on public buildings and structures in the Obiliq/Obilic, ordering a fine of 2,500 DEM to be paid within five days. A warning letter was sent and to date the LDK has declined to pay this fine. The ECAC decided that one candidate from the first five candidates on the LDK list for Obiliq/Obilic should be stricken. If the LDK does not indicate which candidate is to be stricken, the ECAC will strike the first candidate on the list.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/059S - PDK Rally in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje
On 3 October 2000, the ECAC issued Decision ME2000/059 against the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) for a rally it attempted to hold in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje in contravention of a Notice to Change Rally issued by the Director of Elections. In that decision, the ECAC levied a fine of 5,000 DEM which has not been paid to date. The ECAC decided that one candidate from the first five candidates on the PDK list for Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje should be stricken. If the PDK does not indicate which candidate is to be stricken, the ECAC will strike the first candidate on the list.
The remaining 14 complaints dealt with by the ECAC at its 10th Session were dismissed.
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 / e-mail: press@omik.org or website: //www.osce.org/kosovo