Parties, candidates for local elections receive more serious warning from Quinti countries

Quint's countries on the occasion of launching the campaign for the 22 October local elections call on all political parties and candidates to engage in free and peaceful campaign, while responsible institutions expect any report on intimidation and threats to be prosecuted if there are facts.

“Citizens deserve an open and transparent electoral process where all candidates have the right to be heard by voters, where spirit media members have the right to provide no threat or violence to distribute information about elections, and where all voters have the right to make their own decisions without pressure”, the statement said.

Quinti countries commemorate that freedom for political affiliation and freedom of speech are rights guaranteed in a democratic society, and strongly condemn anyone who tries to influence the election process, or that through intimidation, threats and pressure tries to influence elections made by voters.

“We expect Kosovo leaders and those who are ambitious for the leader to speak strongly against this kind of behavior, and we support local police and prosecutors' efforts to investigate every report of intimidation, threats, and obligation, and to prosecute these if there are facts.

The embassies expect candidates to adhere to these standards throughout the campaign, and encourage voters to choose wisely those candidates who would best represent the interests of citizens and the state as the state aims to continue the path towards Euro-Atlantic integration”, the communiqué said.