North Election Under the Shadow of boycott

On Sunday 23 April, the extraordinary elections for mayors of northern Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Leposaviqi and Zvecan are held in Kosovo. The Central Election Commission itself ( KQZ) has indicated that all necessary measures have been taken to hold elections in all four municipalities. The total number of polling stations in these municipalities is 19 in total, made known by the CEC.

Kosovo police have also indicated in a statement that they have taken all necessary measures for the management of elections and ensuring free voting in co-operation with the respective institutions. The aim of these planning and co-ordination is to implement the operational police plan, where Kosovo Police aim to create a safe and secure environment for all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, before, during and after the elections process”, the Kosovo Police Department said.

Serbian List: We must not fall prey to the provocations of Albin Kurti regime

The problem remains the failure to participate in the Serbian List elections, which on Friday again called for a boycott of elections. “All polling stations on April 23rd must remain empty”, the Serbian List requested. Her statement says that “should not fall prey to the provocations of the regime of Albin Kurti”. But Pristina authorities have been determined to hold elections in the north, despite the Serb List's refusal. Earlier, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti's refusal to participate in local elections has commented on both Belgrade's “seses of control over the party and the continued intervention in Kosovo's internal affairs”.

However, there are allegations of election holding by non-governmental organisations monitoring elections. According to them, current circumstances do not enable organising and holding elections in northern Kosovo, as required in line with standards for free elections. “In northern Mitrovica and Zubin Potok, where the Serb community makes up over 90 per cent of the population, no candidate from the Serb community has been registered. Democracy in Action estimates that this situation could affect the legitimacy of the institutions that will emerge from the elections, as it does not guarantee fair representation of the Serb community”, is highlighted in an earlier public response of the nongovernmental organisation Democracy in Action (DnV).