OSCE Mission successfully concludes support operation to early Assembly election in northern Kosovo

MITROVICË/MITROVICA, 8 June 2014 – The OSCE Kosovo Mission has successfully completed its operation in support of early Assembly elections in northern Kosovo held today.

All of 94 polling stations in 40 polling centres in the municipalities of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North, Zvečan/Zveçan, Leposavić/Leposaviq, and Zubin Potok were opened on time, and eligible voters were able to exercise their right to vote. The OSCE deployed 150 staff to provide on-the-spot advice and technical assistance to the polling station committees at all stages of the process.

“We were happy to witness a smooth election operation, conducted in a professional manner. There were no major incidents or irregularities reported. This is an achievement for both the Central Election Commission and the voters,” said the OSCE Head of Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger.

“I want to thank the Central Election Commission and the Municipal Election Commissions for their co-operation as well as the Polling Station Committees for their commitment. In addition, I commend the security providers - Kosovo Police, EULEX, and KFOR - for their excellent performance in maintaining a safe and secure environment conducive to a peaceful election.

The OSCE has supported the election process in four northern Kosovo municipalities at the request of the Central Election Commission.