Page:Report on the Elections of the Kosovo Assembly 23 October 2004 Cgbur 11 74 E public.pdf/17

 APPENDIX I

PRESS RELEASE

Kosovo elections generally successful, but disappointing Serb turnout, says Council of Europe Congress

Pristina, 25.10.2004–“Well-organised, a successful transfer of substantial responsibilities for election organisation to Kosovo institutions and conducted in a peaceable and friendly atmosphere,” was the verdict of Günther Krug, head of the delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, concerning the Kosovo Assembly elections held on 23 October, 2004.

The delegation, present in Kosovo from 19 to 24 October, met representatives of political entities as well as electoral officials and visited approximately 50 polling stations in the towns and surrounding areas of Pristina, Mitrovica, Peja, Gjilan and Prizren.

The delegation recorded its disappointment at the extremely low turn out of the Serb community, despite intensive efforts of the international community to encourage Serb participation.

In general, the Congress remarked that the high number of often very similar political entities risked causing voter confusion and may have hindered genuine democratic choice. The delegation noticed that the campaign tended to focus more on personalities than political platforms. It has suggested that thought be given in future elections to open, rather than closed, lists and to the development of a more constituency-based representative system.

Despite such reservations and despite a difficult political environment, the delegation nevertheless noted with satisfaction that the election campaign and the day of polling was without significant incident or disturbance; that access to media and finance was controlled and balanced; that there were adequate safeguards against electoral fraud.

The delegation concluded that the efficiency, transparency and fairness of the election respected international electoral norms and practice; that the elections constituted a major step forward in the achievement of the standards for Kosovo; and that voters of Kosovo are to be congratulated on the mature and peaceful exercise of their democratic responsibilities.

The Preliminary statement of the Council of Europe Kosovo observation mission is available at: http://www.coe.int/Files/Kosovo-elections/.

Press Contact: Council of Europe Spokesperson and Press Division; Tel. +33 3 88 41 25 60–Fax. +33 3 88 41 39 11, E-mail: PressUnit@coe.int.