Kosovo Assembly election brings democracy forward and strengthens regional stability
(Torgrim Halvari)All the people of Kosovo participated peacefully in the 17
November election, often bringing their families along to the
polling stations. (Torgrim Halvari) Photo details
PRISTINA, 18 November 2001 - Yesterday's Assembly election in Kosovo was a significant step towards constructing a democratic society based on human rights and the rule of law in the aftermath of the 1999 conflict, concluded the International Election Observation Mission in a statement issued in Pristina today.
The joint statement welcomed the peaceful atmosphere of the election period and election day itself. It was issued by Roman Jakic MP (Slovenia), on behalf of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly delegation; Doris Pack MEP (Germany), on behalf of the European Parliament delegation; Bruce George MP (UK), on behalf of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation; and Owen Masters, Head of the Council of Europe Election Observation Mission (CEEOM).
"The people of Kosovo are ready to take a larger part in managing their own affairs. The election opens the way for a better-balanced partnership with the international community," said Doris Pack, head of the European Parliament delegation.
"We understand the difficulties of ethnic Serbs and other communities in Kosovo. It is vital that the new Assembly, as provided for in the Constitutional Framework, should work from the start on a multi-ethnic basis," said Roman Jakic, head of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly delegation.
"Democracy based on the integration of all ethnic communities is the key to stability and economic improvement in South East Europe. The test of this election will be the functioning of the new Kosovo Assembly," said Bruce George, head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation.
The Mission leaders said that the elections were well organized and that yesterday's voting was orderly. The turnout of around 65 per cent is markedly lower than last year's municipal elections and this is a cause of some concern. However, indications are that all communities participated in these elections. Although they were late to enter into the election campaign, well over 40 per cent of the Serbs cast their vote. The Mission also welcomed the very high number of domestic observers.
The International Observation Mission
The International Observation Mission was one of the biggest of its kind ever organized, with a strong parliamentary component - a 12-strong delegation from the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, nine Members of the European Parliament and a 50-strong delegation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
The three parliamentary delegations were also joined by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) and by international observers from Europe, North America and Japan, bringing the total to over 200.
The observation was led and organized by the Council of Europe Election Observation Mission (CEEOM), which has worked with 21 long-term observers in the field and a core team in Pristina since July.
Operational Information
This is an interim assessment only. A final assessment will follow a detailed analysis of data collected. A press conference is scheduled in Pristina on Thursday, 22 November, at 11 a.m. in the ABC cinema. A press conference will be held in Belgrade on Sunday, 25 November, at 11 a.m. in the Tanjug International Press Centre to coincide with the final count
International Election Observation Mission
Preliminary Statement
Pristina, 18 November 2001 - These first Kosovo-wide elections - held in the aftermath of the 1999 conflict - were a significant step in the challenging process of constructing a democratic society based on the respect of human rights and the rule of law.
The International Observation Mission welcomes the fact that the elections took place in a more peaceful atmosphere than the local elections of 28 October 2000.
It recognizes the unique nature of the elections that follow United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 which calls for the development of provisional democratic self-governing institutions to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants of Kosovo. The people of Kosovo were given an opportunity to elect their Assembly, with political and technical support by the international community.
The Mission congratulates the people of Kosovo for actively participating in the elections. It was encouraging that voters from all communities participated, giving hope for reconciliation between them. Serb participation in the elections was essential for building confidence in the future administration of Kosovo. It was also positive to see so many domestic observers active on Election Day.
The Mission concluded:
The Mission expects all parties and political leaders to respect the result of these elections. The significance of the 2001 Kosovo Assembly election will depend on the work of the elected Assembly. The International Election Observation Mission stresses the responsible role that must be played by the political leaders and all Assembly members in promoting reconciliation and the construction of democratic institutions in Kosovo. Their main task will be to develop a civil society based on the respect of European standards of human rights and the rule of law. Immediate issues include ensuring free movement and finding solutions to the question of missing people.
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament pledge their continued support and solidarity to the people of Kosovo in this historic task.
The joint statement welcomed the peaceful atmosphere of the election period and election day itself. It was issued by Roman Jakic MP (Slovenia), on behalf of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly delegation; Doris Pack MEP (Germany), on behalf of the European Parliament delegation; Bruce George MP (UK), on behalf of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation; and Owen Masters, Head of the Council of Europe Election Observation Mission (CEEOM).
"The people of Kosovo are ready to take a larger part in managing their own affairs. The election opens the way for a better-balanced partnership with the international community," said Doris Pack, head of the European Parliament delegation.
"We understand the difficulties of ethnic Serbs and other communities in Kosovo. It is vital that the new Assembly, as provided for in the Constitutional Framework, should work from the start on a multi-ethnic basis," said Roman Jakic, head of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly delegation.
"Democracy based on the integration of all ethnic communities is the key to stability and economic improvement in South East Europe. The test of this election will be the functioning of the new Kosovo Assembly," said Bruce George, head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation.
The Mission leaders said that the elections were well organized and that yesterday's voting was orderly. The turnout of around 65 per cent is markedly lower than last year's municipal elections and this is a cause of some concern. However, indications are that all communities participated in these elections. Although they were late to enter into the election campaign, well over 40 per cent of the Serbs cast their vote. The Mission also welcomed the very high number of domestic observers.
The International Observation Mission
The International Observation Mission was one of the biggest of its kind ever organized, with a strong parliamentary component - a 12-strong delegation from the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, nine Members of the European Parliament and a 50-strong delegation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
The three parliamentary delegations were also joined by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) and by international observers from Europe, North America and Japan, bringing the total to over 200.
The observation was led and organized by the Council of Europe Election Observation Mission (CEEOM), which has worked with 21 long-term observers in the field and a core team in Pristina since July.
Operational Information
This is an interim assessment only. A final assessment will follow a detailed analysis of data collected. A press conference is scheduled in Pristina on Thursday, 22 November, at 11 a.m. in the ABC cinema. A press conference will be held in Belgrade on Sunday, 25 November, at 11 a.m. in the Tanjug International Press Centre to coincide with the final count
International Election Observation Mission
Preliminary Statement
Pristina, 18 November 2001 - These first Kosovo-wide elections - held in the aftermath of the 1999 conflict - were a significant step in the challenging process of constructing a democratic society based on the respect of human rights and the rule of law.
The International Observation Mission welcomes the fact that the elections took place in a more peaceful atmosphere than the local elections of 28 October 2000.
It recognizes the unique nature of the elections that follow United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 which calls for the development of provisional democratic self-governing institutions to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants of Kosovo. The people of Kosovo were given an opportunity to elect their Assembly, with political and technical support by the international community.
The Mission congratulates the people of Kosovo for actively participating in the elections. It was encouraging that voters from all communities participated, giving hope for reconciliation between them. Serb participation in the elections was essential for building confidence in the future administration of Kosovo. It was also positive to see so many domestic observers active on Election Day.
The Mission concluded:
- The Electoral Code provided conditions for free and fair elections.
- Registration was carried out successfully. Enough time and resources were given to this vital process. Even more importantly, the people of Kosovo made a decision to fully participate. It was significant that a large number of the Serb population of Kosovo registered.
- The campaign was not as high profile as last year, but party rallies were often well attended and the political leaders made themselves available to the voters in each region. A number of incidents and disturbances did take place, but the level of violence was much lower than last year, which is to be welcomed. Sadly the Serbs delayed the decision to participate, leaving a short time for their campaign.
- In general, the media gave good coverage to rallies and other political events. However, 70 per cent of coverage went to the three main Albanian parties, giving scant visibility to the smaller parties and to representatives of the minority population.
- Mail-in voting was organized worldwide from 33 countries. The International Organization for Migration in Vienna was in charge of processing these postal votes. The mail-in process was efficient and transparent, with enough security guarantees to ensure that ballots were not mislaid or lost.
- Based on the debriefing at 12:00 on Sunday, 18 November, of over 200 short-term observers, the elections were conducted in an efficient manner. Polling stations opened and closed on time. Last year's queues were not repeated and this is proof that lessons learned have led to improvement.
- Overall turnout was markedly lower than last year.
- Questions remain about the participation late in the day of some none Albanian communities.
- The flying of community flags in and around polling stations was a cause of concern as in last year's elections, and should be the subject of future consultation and eventually a clear policy.
- The organizing authorities performed their duties in a constructive and professional manner.
The Mission expects all parties and political leaders to respect the result of these elections. The significance of the 2001 Kosovo Assembly election will depend on the work of the elected Assembly. The International Election Observation Mission stresses the responsible role that must be played by the political leaders and all Assembly members in promoting reconciliation and the construction of democratic institutions in Kosovo. Their main task will be to develop a civil society based on the respect of European standards of human rights and the rule of law. Immediate issues include ensuring free movement and finding solutions to the question of missing people.
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament pledge their continued support and solidarity to the people of Kosovo in this historic task.