New elections: President asks parties for membership names, new CEC's constitutionalisation expected by 31 March

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has started operations to prepare the CEC for new elections. Through a letter, it has asked political parties to propose names for new members of the Central Election Commission.

National sources have suggested that the head of state such a letter was initiated yesterday by LVV, The PDK, LDK, AAK, Serbian List and other communities' parties broadcast Periscopi.

The same source has shown that in this letter President Osmani has asked political parties for their proposals to be sent to the Presidency within legal terms.

The mandate of members of the Central Election Commission is linked to the Certificate of the outcome of the Kosovo Assembly elections.

The Kosovo General Election Law shows that the chief of state is obliged not later than 30 days after the country's election is issued to the parliamentary groups to ask for CEC members' proposals.

In Article 61 of this law, where the mandate and appointment of CEC members are discussed, details on the issue are provided.

“The president of the Republic of Kosovo, given the results that have emerged from the general elections, not later than 30 days after the country's election is issued, urges parliamentary/political groups to submit CEC membership candidates”, says paragraph 6 of this article.

Furthermore, this article shows within what time political parties must respond to President Osmani.

“Parliamentary/Serb political groups within the seven-day deadline send their proposals, and the president's appointment takes place within five (5) days of sending proposals”, said in this paragraph.

Days ago, Democracy in Action (DnV) has also asked the president to act more quickly in this direction.

Through a media communique, DnV has called on President Osmani and political parties to wrap up the nomination and appointment process of new CEC members without delay.

“Election legislation stipulates that, after the certificate of results, the president asks parliamentary subjects for nominations for CEC members, while the latter have a specific deadline for submitting proposals, after which the president makes their appointment. At this moment, when the country is facing developments that are expected to lead towards a new electoral process, and when March 11th as the legal deadline for this procedure is towards completion of the process of appointing the new CEC composition becomes even more important. This especially because current legislation no longer envisions automatic continuation of the mandate of the existing CEC composition until the appointment of a cloud in case of elections as regulated by previous law”, said in the DnV communiqué.

The mandate of CEC members is linked to the election cycle mandate, and starts in principle no later than sixty (60) days after the certificate of election results for the Assembly.

The beginning of the mandate under this paragraph implies the conclusion of the pre-term.

The CEC has 11 members. Currently represented by two members Sami Kurteshi, Alban Krasniqi. Even the PDK on this mandate is represented by members (Arianit Elshani and Ilir Gashi). A member has LDK Sami Hamiti and AAK.

While the other five representatives belong to parties from the community.

The Central Election Commission has certified the outcome of the February 9th elections on 27th.