The CEC has yet to accept any app for accrediting observers for elections in Podujevo

Still no observers, either from political parties or even NGOs, have applied for accreditment to the Central Election Commission (KQZ) for extraordinary elections for the mayor of Podujevo.

CEC spokesman Valmir Elezi in a proposal for Online Economics, indicated that the deadline for application began 10 days ago but that they have not yet accepted any applications for accreditation.

So far we have not accepted any application for accredited monitoring of extraordinary elections for the mayor of the Podujevo municipality, even though the deadline for application began 10 days ago. The CEC encourages application as the observer's role is irreplaceable for the fact that it impacts the credibility of the” election process, he said.

Elez further stressed that the deadline for application for accrediting observers of political subjects and NGOs is until March 10th, while the deadline for international observers is until 12 March.

“Aphat for application for accrediting observers of political subjects and NGOs is until March 10th, while the deadline for international observers and media is until 12 March. So, by these dates we're going to cut applications and then the CEC makes their accreditment if they're in line with legislation in effect. We have to specify that only accredited observers can convey the election process to elections on election day and the next process at the Counting and Results Centre, Elez told EO.

Elez said the right to request accreditation as observers of an election process is to have representatives of certified political subjects, NGOs and government and intergovernmental organisations, as well as international organisations.

“The right to request accreditation as observers of an election process is to have representatives of certified political subjects, NGOs and government and intergovernmental organisations, as well as specialised international organisations dealing with elections and human rights protections, and representatives of foreign countries. Also, media must be accredited so that they can convey the voting process and other procedures to the QNR. Applications are accepted if done on the Central Election Commission, except for e-mail applications coming from outside the Republic of Kosovo”, spokesman Elezie suggested.

The extraordinary elections for mayor of the Podujevo municipality will be held on 15 March.

Three parties, The PDK, the LDK and the VV have appointed candidates with which they will run to take over the post of Podujevo first.