Elections in Kosovo/ Foreign observers: They were inclusive and peaceful

2025-02-11 20:45:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The February 9 elections in Kosovo were observed by over 100 international observers, embassy representatives, and over 20,000 other observers from non-governmental organizations, the media, and other levels.

After the elections in Kosovo, international and local observers have analyzed their development with positive marks. The February 9 election process in Kosovo was inclusive and peaceful, although some technical problems were noted, but they did not affect the smooth conduct of the elections. The elections were observed by over 100 international observers, representatives of embassies and over 20 thousand other observers from non-governmental organizations, media and other levels.

Assessment of the Election Commissions
"Kosovo voters showed their commitment to democracy by voting peacefully and without tension during the February 9, 2025 elections for the Parliament of Kosovo. The members of the Local Election Commissions should be commended for their collegial and respectful cooperation, overcoming political differences and language barriers, distancing themselves from the divisive pre-election language and hate speech used by political leaders, which was characteristic of this period," said the head of the delegation of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Petra Bayr.

Sunday's elections presented a pluralistic and dynamic political landscape with 28 competing lists representing majority and minority communities, Bayr emphasized, assessing that the participation of Kosovo Serbs contributed to a more inclusive electoral process.

The network of local non-governmental organizations "Democracy in Action", which observed the elections, also found that "the parliamentary elections of February 9 were held in accordance with democratic standards for free, competitive and fair elections". "The voting and counting process during election day was generally conducted in a calm and democratic atmosphere, characterized by a relatively high interest of voters in participating in the elections. However, the voting process was accompanied by several irregularities and violations, mainly of a procedural nature. No serious incidents were reported during the voting that could have undermined the integrity of the elections", the DnV statement said. However, technical problems with the electronic system for publishing the CEC results, which appeared only a few hours after the end of the voting, created confusion and reduced public confidence in the transparency of the process.

The network of local non-governmental organizations "Democracy in Action" welcomed the self-restrained approach of the main political entities, which after the end of the voting, despite problems with the electronic system for publishing results, have calmly recognized and accepted the preliminary election results for political entities. / DW