Press release
Decisions on complaints and appeals in Kosovo elections
- Date:
- Place:
- PRISTINA
- Source:
- OSCE Mission in Kosovo, OSCE Mission in Kosovo
- Fields of work:
- Elections
PRISTINA, 27 October 2000 - At its 11th session on 26 October 2000, the Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission issued several decisions and handed out judgements to political entities for breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct. The details of each decision are attached.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/156-157 - Inequitable Media Coverage
The ECAC received two referrals from the Temporary Media Commissioner (TMC). The first allegation related to clear political bias against political parties, in particular the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), by Bota Sot. The second allegation related to a sustained and politically inspired political campaign against a political party and its leadership, principally through two newspapers, Rilindja and Epoka e Re. In both instances, the ECAC took into consideration the opinion of Media Advisory Panel that the newspapers used language beyond the realm of responsible journalism and that each paper could be seen as supporting a political party. In this case, the ECAC reminded the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the PDK that they will be held accountable for violations of the Electoral Rules committed by their supporters, including media, pursuant to Electoral Rule 2000/01.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/163 - Political Rally Disruption in Prizren
On 21 and 24 October 2000 the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) held three rallies in Prizren municipality. All political gatherings had similar incidents in which supporters of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) were waving PDK posters, using inflammatory language and, at one rally, provoking violence. As these actions are considered serious violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct, the ECAC decided that one candidate from the PDK Prizren list shall be stricken. If the PDK does not indicate by close of business on 27 October which candidate is to be stricken, the ECAC will strike the fifth candidate on the list.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/165 - Political Rally Disruption in Malishevë/Malisevo
On 24 October 2000 the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) held a rally in Malishevë/Malisevo. As LDK supporters were gathering for the rally, supporters of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) began parading opposite the location of the rally, chanting slogans and inciting violence, which included one young girl being injured by stones thrown by PDK supporters. LDK officials appealed for calm and tolerance, to no avail, and the crowd dispersed. As these actions are considered serious violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct, the ECAC decided that one candidate from the PDK Malishevë/Malisevo list shall be stricken. If the PDK does not indicate by close of business on 27 October which candidate is to be stricken, the ECAC will strike the fifth candidate on the list.
OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Press and Public Information Section, tel.: +381-38-500-162; fax: +381-38-500-188; e-mail: press@omik.org.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/156-157 - Inequitable Media Coverage
The ECAC received two referrals from the Temporary Media Commissioner (TMC). The first allegation related to clear political bias against political parties, in particular the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), by Bota Sot. The second allegation related to a sustained and politically inspired political campaign against a political party and its leadership, principally through two newspapers, Rilindja and Epoka e Re. In both instances, the ECAC took into consideration the opinion of Media Advisory Panel that the newspapers used language beyond the realm of responsible journalism and that each paper could be seen as supporting a political party. In this case, the ECAC reminded the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the PDK that they will be held accountable for violations of the Electoral Rules committed by their supporters, including media, pursuant to Electoral Rule 2000/01.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/163 - Political Rally Disruption in Prizren
On 21 and 24 October 2000 the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) held three rallies in Prizren municipality. All political gatherings had similar incidents in which supporters of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) were waving PDK posters, using inflammatory language and, at one rally, provoking violence. As these actions are considered serious violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct, the ECAC decided that one candidate from the PDK Prizren list shall be stricken. If the PDK does not indicate by close of business on 27 October which candidate is to be stricken, the ECAC will strike the fifth candidate on the list.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/165 - Political Rally Disruption in Malishevë/Malisevo
On 24 October 2000 the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) held a rally in Malishevë/Malisevo. As LDK supporters were gathering for the rally, supporters of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) began parading opposite the location of the rally, chanting slogans and inciting violence, which included one young girl being injured by stones thrown by PDK supporters. LDK officials appealed for calm and tolerance, to no avail, and the crowd dispersed. As these actions are considered serious violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct, the ECAC decided that one candidate from the PDK Malishevë/Malisevo list shall be stricken. If the PDK does not indicate by close of business on 27 October which candidate is to be stricken, the ECAC will strike the fifth candidate on the list.
OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Press and Public Information Section, tel.: +381-38-500-162; fax: +381-38-500-188; e-mail: press@omik.org.
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