The British Embassy in Kosovo in a Facebook post says that over 100,000 applications for new voter registration in the diaspora were accepted by the CEC. and that the deadline for these early elections is even shorter than normal, putting pressure on the CEC and creating risks that not all ballots cast abroad will arrive on time.
The embassy says it will continue to closely monitor the counting of votes coming from the diaspora for the February 14 elections.
#ElectionsWatch Issue – Diaspora Voting
We have received many comments and messages about diaspora voting. This is an issue that the independent UK elections mission has followed closely. Over 100,000 applications for new diaspora voter registrations were accepted by the CEC. These are record numbers.
As in previous elections, this process has not been perfect. Previous EU Election Observation Missions have recommended that the law be changed in order to allow more time for pre-electoral processes to take place. That has not happened and the timeframe for these snap elections is even shorter than normal, putting pressure on the CEC and creating risks that not all ballots cast overseas will arrive on time.
This mission, along with others, is engaging with the relevant institutions and is satisfied that arrangements have been made for all diaspora ballots that arrive on time to be received securely and counted without interference. We will of course continue to monitor this closely.
