Prishtinë, 15 February 2021 – The Ombudsperson has closely monitored Early Elections for the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, held yesterday on 14 February 2021, bearing in mind always that the right to vote is essential for a democracy based on citizens’ will.

Ombudsperson Institution (OI), based on the principles of independent and impartial monitoring, accredited 43 OI employees to the Central Election Commission (CEC), who, disseminated in mobile teams, have observed voting process from human rights and fundamental freedoms perspective, in almost all municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo.

From what has been reported from the field, the Ombudsperson considers that in general the electoral process has taken place in a safe, peaceful, free and democratic atmosphere. Maturity exposed by citizens on one hand and the highest commitment that the CEC generally has shown in preparation and organization of these elections, have marked an extremely important moment for respecting the free will of citizens and the level of democracy in the country, therefore from the perspective of respecting and exercising of this political right, the Ombudsperson expresses his utmost consideration and appreciation. Further, the Ombudsperson praises Kosovo Police for the professional support it has provided throughout the day of elections within entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo, by guaranteeing security and smooth running of the electoral process.

However, given the complexity of an electoral process, there have been specific human rights segments which have attracted attention of Ombudsperson’s observers.

Conducting elections in a situation of pandemic has imposed specific requirements regarding anti-COVID measures. Not each polling station had the opportunities to apply the distance between the voters in the first place, but also between administrators of this process. This problem has occurred specifically in large polling stations (mainly cities), where the voter turnout influx was greater. However, protection measure of mask wearing as well as using disinfectants has been mainly respected.

On the other hand, most of the schools that serve as polling stations do not provide appropriate infrastructural conditions (lack of slopes, lifts, etc.) for people with walking disabilities and the elderly people. In majority cases, polling stations were on the second or third floor and this presented difficulties in exercising their right to vote. It should be point out here that almost all polling stations were equipped with Braille ballot, for cases when the voters are blind.

Further, based on specific mandate entrusted to the Ombudsperson, his representatives have closely monitored Institutions where persons deprived of liberty are held, such as Detention Centers, Correctional Centers and High Security Prisons. OI observers during the monitoring noticed that due to the transfers that occurred with remand detainees, after the data regarding those who have the right to vote have been forwarded, there were cases when persons deprived of their liberty did not have the opportunity to vote, because their name were not on the lists of the mobile team, while they were not verified instantly on the general voters’ list

Under monitoring of OI observers were also Home for elderly people and without family care, Integrated Community Homes, the Center for Integration and Rehabilitation of Chronic Psychiatric Patients (CIRCPP) as well as the University Clinical Hospital Service (UCHC). In these institutions, administration of voting was done by CEC mobile teams.

Furthermore, regarding the progress of the electoral process in all its phases, the Ombudsperson will compile a more detailed and comprehensive report, including reports during the day of Early Elections for the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, held on 14 February 2021.