Newsroom
Candidate registration begins in Kosovo
PRISTINA 9 July 2002
PRISTINA, 9 July 2002 - Political parties, coalitions and citizens' initiatives can now begin to compile lists of candidates in municipalities in which they wish to run in the autumn elections. The deadline for submission of lists to the OSCE for verification is July 29.
The Central Election Commission's (CEC) rules detail who can and cannot contest the elections as a candidate. Political entities that have applied for certification can immediately start to put together their lists of persons interested in participating in municipal government, but only those entities certified by the CEC will be able to run.
To date, 72 political entities from all of Kosovo's communities have handed in applications, including 11 late submissions. This number includes 28 political parties, 31 citizens' initiatives, one coalition and 12 independent candidates. A list of those 72 political entities has today been forwarded to the media outlets in Kosovo.
The diversity of applications from political entities shows a trend towards greater pluralism within the political landscape. As many appear to be locally-based, grass roots initiatives, this is a demonstration of greater activism from the people of Kosovo about local concerns.
Submission of an application for certification does not automatically mean that a political entity will contest an election. All applications by political entities will be held to the same standards. These are now being examined to ensure that they meet the certification requirements. Applications submitted after the deadline will be sent to the Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission (ECAC) for adjudication.
One requirement that will be closely scrutinised is the 100 valid signatures for each municipality which an entity wishes to contest. Last year, four political entities were denied certification because they submitted fraudulent signatures.
The Central Election Commission's (CEC) rules detail who can and cannot contest the elections as a candidate. Political entities that have applied for certification can immediately start to put together their lists of persons interested in participating in municipal government, but only those entities certified by the CEC will be able to run.
To date, 72 political entities from all of Kosovo's communities have handed in applications, including 11 late submissions. This number includes 28 political parties, 31 citizens' initiatives, one coalition and 12 independent candidates. A list of those 72 political entities has today been forwarded to the media outlets in Kosovo.
The diversity of applications from political entities shows a trend towards greater pluralism within the political landscape. As many appear to be locally-based, grass roots initiatives, this is a demonstration of greater activism from the people of Kosovo about local concerns.
Submission of an application for certification does not automatically mean that a political entity will contest an election. All applications by political entities will be held to the same standards. These are now being examined to ensure that they meet the certification requirements. Applications submitted after the deadline will be sent to the Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission (ECAC) for adjudication.
One requirement that will be closely scrutinised is the 100 valid signatures for each municipality which an entity wishes to contest. Last year, four political entities were denied certification because they submitted fraudulent signatures.