Page:Report on the Elections of the Kosovo Assembly 23 October 2004 Cgbur 11 74 E public.pdf/13

 p. Conditional voting

On polling day, voters who find that their names are not on the Voters’ List in the polling station in question will be re-directed to an alternative polling station, physically situated in the same polling centre, where the voter may cast his/her vote following a special procedure that enables a later check of his/her eligibility, i. e. so-called conditional ballot voting.

This is a change from earlier elections when such voters could be put on a supplementary list on-the-spot, with the provision of adequate proof of identity and residence. The purpose is to give additional safeguards, as supplementary on-the-spot lists are not without risk of fraud; to encourage voters to check their details beforehand, during the Challenge Period; to avoid disturbances in the polling station on Election Day.

q. Equal access to Media

Media access is regulated by Rule No. 10/2004 of the CEC. Broadcasters must air CEC voter education material free of charge. All certified political entities shall receive “fair and equitable” news coverage and access to political discussions and debates. Political discussion programmes and debates on broadcast media shall have guests that represent diverse standpoints. Reporters, moderators and studio audiences shall project an image of impartiality. Media professionals standing as candidates for the 2004 Kosovo Assembly may not contribute or otherwise influence the material content of their respective media.

Broadcasters that air paid political advertising are required to offer a minimum number of minutes of free air time (excluding regular news coverage) to all certified political entities during the campaign period. If a private broadcaster offers free air time to any certified political entity, it must offer free air time to all certified political entities. The price per second charged for paid political advertising spots shall be no more than 60% of a broadcaster’s normal prices for the same time slots in the 30 days prior to the campaign period.

No broadcasts or publications of any material pertaining to campaign activity is permitted during the 24 hours prior to the opening of the polling stations until the official close of the polling stations. There shall be no publication or broadcasts of opinion polls or surveys relating to the electoral campaign–including exit polls–during the 72 hours prior to the official close of the polling stations.

r. Public information

A public information campaign has been developed and conducted by the CECS both for in-Kosovo and out-of-Kosovo voters. It started on 28 June in support of the voter service period and will continue throughout the campaign for all other related purposes. All media vehicles are use television, radio, posters, public meetings, direct contact with the political entities. Relevant material is available in at least three languages. Campaign monitoring is carried out, to ensure the accuracy of the transmitted information and the effectiveness of the campaign. Since the beginning of the publicity campaign, there have been over 7,000 individual hits from 53 countries on relevant websites.