Newsroom
Violations of 2002 Electoral Rules of Kosovo will result in penalties
PRISTINA 15 May 2002
PRISTINA, 15 May 2002 - Stiff penalties will be imposed on Kosovo's political entities again this year if they break the rules governing the 2002 electoral process. These could range from fines to a candidate or party being barred from contesting the 26 October municipal elections. The sanctions are detailed in Electoral Rule 6/2002, adopted by the Central Election Commission (CEC) at its last meeting.
The rule is the legal basis for the operation of the Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission (ECAC), the body which will investigate allegations that rules have been violated by certified political entities. The ECAC will be headed by an international commissioner who will be assisted by up to five deputy commissioners from Kosovo.
The ECAC will have the authority to order political parties, coalitions, citizens' initiatives or independent candidates to take corrective action if they are found to have violated the electoral rules. It will also have the authority to impose fines of up to 6,000 euros on the political entities.
The ECAC can then impose a further financial penalty for failure to comply with its decisions. Such fines will also be subject to the accrual of interest until payment. Even tougher sanctions for non-compliance with the electoral rules can be imposed by the ECAC, after consultation with the CEC. Serious breaches or failure to pay fines could, for example, result in candidates being struck off lists or in the political entity being decertified, or barred, from taking part in the municipal elections.
If outstanding financial penalties imposed by the ECAC on a political entity for violations of the electoral rules during the 2001 Assembly election are not paid, the entity will not be certified to run in the October elections. Compliance with deadlines by political entities will set a positive example to the people of Kosovo.
The ECAC will also deal with appeals relating to voter eligibility. Anyone whose application for inclusion on the voters' list is rejected may file an appeal with the ECAC for the decision to be re-examined.
The rule is the legal basis for the operation of the Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission (ECAC), the body which will investigate allegations that rules have been violated by certified political entities. The ECAC will be headed by an international commissioner who will be assisted by up to five deputy commissioners from Kosovo.
The ECAC will have the authority to order political parties, coalitions, citizens' initiatives or independent candidates to take corrective action if they are found to have violated the electoral rules. It will also have the authority to impose fines of up to 6,000 euros on the political entities.
The ECAC can then impose a further financial penalty for failure to comply with its decisions. Such fines will also be subject to the accrual of interest until payment. Even tougher sanctions for non-compliance with the electoral rules can be imposed by the ECAC, after consultation with the CEC. Serious breaches or failure to pay fines could, for example, result in candidates being struck off lists or in the political entity being decertified, or barred, from taking part in the municipal elections.
If outstanding financial penalties imposed by the ECAC on a political entity for violations of the electoral rules during the 2001 Assembly election are not paid, the entity will not be certified to run in the October elections. Compliance with deadlines by political entities will set a positive example to the people of Kosovo.
The ECAC will also deal with appeals relating to voter eligibility. Anyone whose application for inclusion on the voters' list is rejected may file an appeal with the ECAC for the decision to be re-examined.