OSCE Mission in Kosovo information on collection of votes operation

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 31 March 2017 - The OSCE Mission in Kosovo will conduct a collection of votes operation, opening four collection centres with associated branches throughout Kosovo, with OSCE staff presence, on Sunday, 2 April 2017, in the context of the Serbian Presidential Elections.

The OSCE has made arrangements for an appropriate geographic distribution of these centres and branches, which ensures a sufficient coverage of areas with eligible voters.

This OSCE engagement draws upon the models of the previous operations, held in 2012, 2014 and 2016. The OSCE has received a request from Belgrade and the approval of the Government of Kosovo for the conduct of the operation. The OSCE will be the custodian of the process in Kosovo, including safeguarding sensitive materials and integrity of the process. The procedures will be the same as in previous years.  

The OSCE Mission’s field presence has made information available on the locations to be used for the operation.

Upon completion of the process, the OSCE will transport the collected ballots to Raška and Vranje and hand them over to the Republican Election Commission (RIK) for follow up procedures.

Media wishing to film or take photos inside collection centres will be granted access for a limited period, 10 to 15 minutes maximum, upon presentation of a valid press ID to the OSCE personnel on the ground. Media will not be permitted to conduct interviews inside collection units and are encouraged to conduct them outside the centres. A maximum of two camera-operators or photographers will be allowed inside individual collection unit at any one time.

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