The CEC reportedly has verified the petition signatures in the north, new elections are expected to open up there

The Central Election Commission today is expected to discuss verifying the petition signatures of Serbian citizens for the removal of the mayors of Kosovo's four northern municipalities.

The Nacional newspaper from sources within the CEC has learned that the process of verifying petition signatures has already been completed.

The same source has said it can already pave the way for voting for the dismissal of northern Mitrovica mayors Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposaviqi.

“The CEC has completed the process of verifying petition signatures and is a 20 per cent required percentage. Thus, the condition for the next step, which is to organise voting for the dismissal of four mayors in the north, has been met”, the newspaper's source said.

While CEC spokesman Valmir Elezi has not provided much details on the issue.

In a proposal for the Nacional newspaper, he has indicated that the CEC meeting, where the issue will be discussed, will be held today at 13:30.

“On Friday, March 8, 2024, the Central Election Commission will hold the next meeting. The agenda is scheduled to present the report concerning the verification of petitions accepted by the heads of the Municipal Places, Leposaviq, Zubin Potok, Zvecan and North Mitrovica”, Elez declared.

Removal of EU punitive measures depends on these elections

Kosovo institutional representatives have suggested that the new elections for mayor of northern Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposaviqi will be viewed as meeting the necessary conditions.

Local Power Management Minister Elbert Krasniqi has said the new elections in the north will be held soon.

In debate “Efficiency and the influence of citizens' petitions as a means of exercising rights and changes in society”, which was held yesterday, Krasniqi has said that the CEC should do its share in the process.

“CEC must complete its part of the job, and must vote in four municipalities soon”, he said, adding there is no obstacle expected in this direction.

“I don't see any legal obstacles that would make this vote impossible”, he said.

Even Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has suggested that new elections in the north are expected to be held soon.

“Once the results are confirmed for the departure of the mayors, who require over 50 percent of the entire voting body to vote for, and if that happens, between 30 and 45 days, I as president appoints new local elections”, Osmani said last week.

In this case, the first of the state has suggested that the removal of EU punitive measures towards Kosovo depends on holding these elections.

“Removing EU measures on Kosovo is related to holding these elections. It is imperative that we always move forward in accordance with the law and procedures ahead”, Osman said.

The same has been said by EU emissary for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue Miroslav Lajcak.

In an interview for the Nacional newspaper, he has said EU member states would assess holding elections in the north as a positive signal.

“One of those options that would certainly be seen as a positive signal was the possibility of new fast local elections in northern Kosovo, and the quickest approach continues to be the resignation of mayors. Another positive signal would be to send the European Court of Staff to establish the Serbian Majority Commission Association to the Constitutional Court for Legal Review. Unfortunately, none of this happened.”, the EU emissary has been expressed.