Election Code of Conduct approved in Kosovo

PRISTINA, 25 April 2000 - As one of its first tasks, the newly established Central Election Commission has issued a Code of Conduct for candidates, coalitions, political parties and their supporters.

Under the code, political parties have the right to organize and hold public meetings and do not need permits for them; however, to ensure security arrangements they have to inform UNMIK police of the event. They are also allowed to publish campaign materials but cannot display them on public buildings.

The Code of Conduct covers a number of activities that are prohibited, including:

• bribing or threatening voters as a means of gaining their support;
• urging people to vote twice or, for those who don't have the right to vote, to cast a ballot;
• carry or display weapons at political meetings;
• use language which incites hatred;
• use the pictures or symbols of anyone indicted by the International War Crimes Tribunal at The Hague.

All political parties and coalitions taking part in the election will have to agree to the Code of Conduct in writing. That also will mean they promise to abide by the results of the vote.

The Political Party Consultative Forum, established under the Central Election Commission, will be largely used as the means of informing political parties of their obligations under the Code of Conduct.

The Central Election Commission is convinced the Code of Conduct will help to ensure the election is carried out in a free and fair manner. It appeals to candidates and parties to abide by the electoral rules to guarantee a democratic electoral process.

For further information, contact Press and Public Information of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel.: +381 38 500 162 ext. 118, 218, 260, 342. Satphone: 871 762 009 948. Fax: +381 38 500 188. Satfax: 871 382 425 022. Roland Bless, Spokesperson, mobile + 389 70 250 576. By e-mail: [email protected]. Website: //www.osce.org/kosovo