IKD: We back ombudsman's DEC indictment

Kosovo's “IKD Justice Institute reacts to the CEC Central Election Commission, which is continuing to violate constitutional and legal guarantees in terms of gender equality, specifically equal treatment of women in electoral rights and participation”, reportedly in the IKD response, broadcasts Kosovo.

Here's the full reaction:

Kosovo's Institute for Justice IKD reacts to the Central Election Commission, the CEC, which is continuing to violate constitutional and legal guarantees regarding gender equality, specifically equal treatment of women in electoral rights and participation.

About violating the principles of representation defined in the Law on Gender Equality by the CEC and political parties, The IKD has reacted publicly through its products since the June 2017 national elections. Both the CEC and political parties have ignored IKD calls for implementation of the legal obligation, for gender representation to be promoted in the 50% quota, just as the IKD is determined in the Law on Gender Equality.

On Friday, the Ombudsman over concerns raised by the IKD since the national elections in 2017 has announced that he has submitted to the Constitutional Court in Pristina, on the basis of the General Department, the indictment with a request for provisional measure of violation on the part of the CEC for equal treatment of women in electoral rights and participation.

According to the Ombudsman, “The CEC, under its mandate, has certified lists with the names of candidates for deputies proposed by political subjects for the Parliamentary Elections for the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo 2019, but has not taken into account constitutional and legal guarantees regarding gender equality, specifically equal treatment of women in electoral rights and participation”.

IKD strongly supports the pro-active role of the Ombudsman's institution and response to raising indictment against The CEC, aimed at promoting values and principles in equal treatment of women in electoral rights and participation.

The IKD also supports the ombudsperson's request for the appointment of the interim measure in the electoral process, on the basis of arguments he has put forward in the indictment against the CEC, as an indicted party, which would have to review political parties' lists so that the legality of the Kosovo election process is ensured, and the legitimacy of the representatives of the people who will emerge as a result of the national elections of October 6th 2019.