Election reform remains on paper, Kosovo functions with expired laws

The Vetevendosje (LVV) movement and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) say they are willing to address these improvements in the Law for Elections, but that this remains with political leaders.

The head of the AAK Parliamentary Group, Besnik Tahiri, has told the Online Economy that this topic should be addressed on assessments that the international factor has given, in particular, the European Union, with the impasses that have been in the election.

The election “Reform is a topic that needs to be addressed with a particular interest, requires political and national consensus, requires addressing issues and problems that have been in the past, above all requires a bold political decision related to local and national elections. Whether we're going to have an area or not, whether we want to have a list of one or five tics, whether we want to have direct elections or not, and whether we're going to have a run-off or not. So these topics should be addressed on the assessments that the international factor has also given them, in particular the European Union, with the impasses that have been in the election”, Tahiri said.

He views the change of Law for Elections as necessary, as according to him, Kosovo functions with expired laws.

“We have laws but to be more direct these laws have changed in 2008, after the proclamation of Independence, and some laws have expired because we are working in the 21st century with legislation 14 years ago, many circumstances have changed, and therefore it is very necessary that this change occur, but there has also been serious problems, in particular, of the management of the” elections, Tahir said.

Adnan Rilve from LVV has also said international recommendations should be taken into account as regards election organisation. According to him, electoral reform should give citizens effective opportunities to vote, and especially the diaspora will be allowed to vote in embassies and consulates.

“Yes, we have a consistent position on improving the election process. It is very important that all recommendations made by European Union observers, but even local observers for during the election processes in Kosovo, be addressed also in changing the Election Law”, it has been expressed.

“In principle we agree to start working to address these improvements in the Election Law, always strengthening election management, and enabling citizens to vote, especially fellow countrymen living abroad, by completing the voting in embassies and consulates, but taking into account the vote counting process, finding the best mode to ensure accurate counting, but also quick results. However, we agree to start in this legislature as soon as possible to address recommendations, remarks, defects and strengthen the process”, he added.

Meanwhile, the Democratic League of Kosovo and the Democratic Party of Kosovo have not expressed readiness to talk about the issue. / EO