Member of CEC PDK): Government has not responded to additional budget requirement for local elections

“Today has become full of 30 days since the Central Election Commission (KQZ) has addressed an official requirement for an additional budget in terms of the Government of Kosovo, in the function of organising local elections 2025. But unfortunately, even after a full month, the government has returned no response, though it constitutes not only an institutional responsibility, but also violation of the legal obligation specified at Article 113 of the General Election Law, which clearly states: the Kosovo government finances holding elections. ””

Gashi has written that this is an unprecedented situation for the CEC.

“This is an unprecedented situation for the CEC, never before in the history of the election processes in Kosovo has a budget requirement been ignored in this way, directly jeopardising election organisation and public confidence in the democratic process. ”

He has said today's CEC meeting has been postponed due to the government's lack of response.

“As a member of the CEC, I have raised this concern at the past two meetings and asked that the CEC Secretariat inform us of the status of the additional budget requirement. But, until now, no concrete information has been provided. Moreover, today's CEC meeting, which was expected to address this concern, has been postponed just two hours before it was held due to the government's lack of response. ”

He has said that the director of the CEC Secretariat has prepared an appreciative report in which the redealing of existing budgetary means is planned to be used for local elections.

“This clearly shows that election organisation is being violated with full knowledge by the Government of Kosovo, while responsibility is being tried to bring down unjust on the CEC. According to information given to us, the director of the CEC Secretariat has prepared an appreciative report in which the redealing of existing budgetary means is planned to be used for local elections. The move is not required and neither approved by CEC members, nor is a sustainable solution enough. We insist that the Government respond officially and without delay, because funding elections is constitutional and legal obligation, not political option. Kosovo institutions (President), the Kosovo public and the political spectrum should be informed of the situation, because the Central Election Commission cannot carry a burden that is not its own. ”/Periscopi/