5 hours agoMassive arrests for vote manipulation in Kosovo echoed in international media
Periskopi(6 months ago)
(6 months ago)The Prizren Constitutional Prosecutor's action on allegations of vote manipulation has echoed widely in international media as well. Last day, Kosovo authorities have detained 109 people, mainly commissioners involved in the voting counting process, under suspicion of interference and forging election results. Prosecutor's action comes after [...]
Last day, Kosovo authorities have detained 109 people, mainly commissioners involved in the voting counting process, under suspicion of interference and forging election results.
The prosecution's move comes after investigations that were launched about two weeks ago and related to serious irregularities during the 28 December parliamentary elections.
Some of the world's best - known media reports on this event.
Reuters agency has named the case a “Big shame” for Kosovo, stressing that the country -- as a new state -- is aiming for membership in the European Union.
Reuters also reports that the Central Election Commission (KQZ) has indicated that initial investigations into the issue have started about two weeks ago.
Attention has cost American media ABC News, which reports that authorities in Kosovo have arrested over 100 persons for manipulation of balloting during the December parliamentary elections.
According to ABC News, this development has raised concerns that the one-year political crisis in Kosovo could drag on even further.
The arrests were made. German media, which have named the investigation a serious test for the integrity of the election process and for the rule of law in Kosovo.
Meanwhile, French media Le Monde has reported that about a hundred arrests have been conducted in Kosovo for “falsification of election results”.
According to Prizren's prosecution, more than 68 thousand ballots were allegedly adopted during the 28 December parliamentary elections, which were won by the outgoing prime minister's party, Albin Kurti. In mid-January, the Central Election Commission had ordered full recounting of votes.
And Italian agency ANSA has reported that Kosovo has arrested over 100 election commissioners for counterfeiting election results, stressing that investigations are still under way.
Kosovo authorities have declared that actions are being taken to ensure transparency, complete dawning of the case and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, while justice is expected to expand investigations into other municipalities where the recount has raised irregularities.
