New code of conduct on elections approved in Kosovo
(Lubomir Kotek/OSCE)Ballots from the Kosovo Assembly election being unloaded at the
OSCE Counting and Results Centre in Obiliq/Obilic, November
2001. (Lubomir Kotek/OSCE) Photo details
PRISTINA, 2 April 2002 - The Central Election Commission (CEC) has approved the ground rules that will govern the conduct and campaign activities of those contesting the second municipal elections in Kosovo later this year.
Electoral Rule No. 1/2002 immediately comes into effect and will remain in force through the entire electoral process. The Code of Conduct applies to political parties, coalitions, candidates and their supporters. All political entities, which apply to contest the municipal elections, must agree to adhere to it and actively discourage any violations.
The Code is designed to guide the behaviour of political entities contesting the elections, as well as their supporters, to conduct their campaigns in a law-abiding and democratic manner. Its aim is to prevent violence, intimidation and corruption from marring the election campaign. The Code prohibits the use of language aimed at provoking violence. It outlaws the use of bribery and intimidation to gain support. It bars any display of weapons at campaign rallies. It also warns against interfering with campaign materials, such as posters, distributed by rival political entities.
The Code recognizes the right for political entities to hold public meetings and events, but are also obliged to give at least 5 days (120 hours) advance notice to police authorities so that adequate security arrangements can be made. The police authorities, for their part, are obliged to do their best to respond to an event's organizer within 48 hours.
Political entities are reminded that all outstanding financial penalties imposed on entities by the Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission (ECAC) for breaches of the Code of Conduct (as well as other Electoral Rules) in relation to the Kosovo Assembly election must be paid in full before certification for the municipal elections can be approved.
The Code of Conduct is the first rule to be formally adopted by the CEC for the municipal elections and is similar to the one used in the last two election cycles.
Kosovo's political parties at the central and regional levels will be briefed of their obligations under the new Code of Conduct at Political party Consultative Forms.
Electoral Rule No. 1/2002 immediately comes into effect and will remain in force through the entire electoral process. The Code of Conduct applies to political parties, coalitions, candidates and their supporters. All political entities, which apply to contest the municipal elections, must agree to adhere to it and actively discourage any violations.
The Code is designed to guide the behaviour of political entities contesting the elections, as well as their supporters, to conduct their campaigns in a law-abiding and democratic manner. Its aim is to prevent violence, intimidation and corruption from marring the election campaign. The Code prohibits the use of language aimed at provoking violence. It outlaws the use of bribery and intimidation to gain support. It bars any display of weapons at campaign rallies. It also warns against interfering with campaign materials, such as posters, distributed by rival political entities.
The Code recognizes the right for political entities to hold public meetings and events, but are also obliged to give at least 5 days (120 hours) advance notice to police authorities so that adequate security arrangements can be made. The police authorities, for their part, are obliged to do their best to respond to an event's organizer within 48 hours.
Political entities are reminded that all outstanding financial penalties imposed on entities by the Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission (ECAC) for breaches of the Code of Conduct (as well as other Electoral Rules) in relation to the Kosovo Assembly election must be paid in full before certification for the municipal elections can be approved.
The Code of Conduct is the first rule to be formally adopted by the CEC for the municipal elections and is similar to the one used in the last two election cycles.
Kosovo's political parties at the central and regional levels will be briefed of their obligations under the new Code of Conduct at Political party Consultative Forms.