CEC changes registration regulation and voting from diaspora

The first change has to do with voter registration outside Kosovo, where the same is to take the census in real time through the CEC platform.

The other difference is to send the ballot through mail to any exile registered to vote rather than download it via electronic platform.

Although these changes were said to contain higher budgetary costs, it was stressed that the same would increase the integrity of the election process.

This regulation will also apply to local elections and the upcoming parliamentary elections whenever they are held.

Central Election Commission member from the ranks of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Arian Elshani, said the need for meeting this regulation has been established as a result of dilemmas regarding the integrity of the election process abroad in the recent parliamentary elections.

“Taking into account all doubts and dilemmas raised regarding the integrity of the election process abroad, as members of the CEC we have come to the conclusion that this procedure must be changed. We are talking about the registration procedure outside Kosovo and voting of those registered as voters outside Kosovo. One concerns the process of registering voters abroad. The census will now take real-time pictures. No citizen can upload a photo taken 3-4 months ago, but will be allowed through the platform to take place in real time along with ID. Another change is also sending mail ballots to each citizen living outside Kosovo. Through the postal service that will be contracted by the CEC, it will be possible for the person registered to vote outside Kosovo to go the corresponding ballot along with the return envelope wherever he lives. These are the two changes that have been made under this regulation”, he said.

This regulation was welcomed by Central Election Commission member from the Vetevendosje Movement ranks Alban Krasniqi, despite this would have a higher budgetary cost.

These changes besides improvements in procedures and transparency of the process should not be forgotten even the cost. On the basis of the planning, the cost will be higher, while a more precise cost that will then be subject to discussion will occur richer”, he said.

Despite the cost of this regulation, Central Election Commission member Muharrem Nitaj stressed the need for its approval.

“is a good and solid basis that increases the integrity of the election process overall and the protection of the individual vote of people voting abroad. This will probably bring a higher cost, but I don't think we should have the discretion to be limited by the cost of damaging the election process”, Nitaj said.

Even member of the Central Election Commission from the ranks of the Democratic League of Kosovo, the Hamiti Summit, said this regulation would increase the integrity of the election process.

There were two goals. One that no one should be deprived of the right to vote, but increasing integrity”, he said.

The dilemma for implementing this regulation by the Secretariat of the Central Election Commission established the chairman of this institution, Kreshnik Radoniqi, who also abstained in the regulation vote.

“According to the Secretariat, have you discussed how much all these procedures and changes can be prepared so that this procedure does not fail at the end. The proposed changes, in addition to being costly, are feasible. I understand the preservation of integrity, as well as the way the previous process has gone and I understand the need to change it. But, the proposed change, will it be feasible easily or difficult?”, he said.

Faithful Buzhala from the Central Election Commission Secretariat said they are left with implementation of this regulation.

“We have expressed it at the meeting and it remains the Secretariat to make maximum efforts to implement this regulation in the election process”, Buzhala stressed. / KP