Democracy in Action | Elections 2007

Press Release

17 November 2007

h10:00

Press Release on Opening of the Polling Stations

In areas inhibited with Albanians, most of the polling stations were opened on time. Most delays did not exceed an hour and currently all polling stations have been opened. In areas inhabited with Serbs in the northern part of Kosovo regular polling stations were not opened, but instead mobile polling stations were. In the areas inhabited with Serbs south of Ibar river polling stations have opened, but there are only few Serbs voting. All our observers are on duty and we will continue to receive information from them during the day and during the process of counting the ballots.

Peja

In the region of Peja all polling stations have been opened and voting has started with delays up to 30 minutes. In Gorazhec, an area inhabited with Serbs, out of two polling stations one has been opened within the premises of a local NGO.

In Binqë and Osojan, areas inhabited with Serbs, no polling stations were opened and neither the materials for voting were received. In these areas OSCE has set mobile voting teams.

In this region difficulties in communication and due to weather conditions were recorded. All observers of “Democracy in Action” are on duty.

Gjilan

Polling stations have been opened with delays small delays, not exceeding 20 minutes. In villages inhabited with Serbs polling stations were not opened, with exception of Partesh and Pasjan, where teams in polling station officials received voting material and voting is expected to commence.

In Slivovë voting material was received, but the same was returned latter.

In villages with Serb inhabitants OSCE has established mobile teams.

In Partesh voting center has been opened, but no citizen has voted yet, due to pressure from radical groups. In Shillovë polling station has been opened and briefly afterwards the same was closed.

Mitrovica

All polling stations have been opened on time, with the exception of 2 polling stations were delays of 15 minutes occurred. Due to weather conditions our observers in Skromë had to rely on assistance of the KPS in reaching to the polling stations.

With exception of polling stations in the ‘Bosniak mahalla’ in premises of the Women’s Business Center and other zones inhabited by Albanians, in other zones it is planned to set mobile polling stations. In areas inhabited by Serbs there were no voters casting their ballots, up to h8:30AM. Some mobile polling stations will not be opened until h12:30 and they will be set in the most frequented zones. In Skenderaj two polling stations were not opened (Banjë and Suriganë).

Prishtina

All polling stations have been opened in time. Voting process has been delayed in a couple of polling stations. In polling stations ‘Meto Bajraktari’, ‘1 Tetori’ and ‘Faik Konica’ opening was delayed for an hour, whereas in ‘Technical Faculty’ the polling station has been opened with a delay of two hours

Polling stations inhabited with Serbs in areas of Obiliq and Fushë Kosovë, have all been opened and two of them were opened with a short delay. No Serb voter in these areas has yet cast a ballot.

Graçanicë

Instead of being set up in a school a polling station was set in a private house and currently there is one polling center and one polling station. Members of Serb community are casting ballots, though in relatively small number.

In Lipjan and Novo Bërdë areas inhabited with Serbs polling stations were opened. Serb voters are participating in elections, yet in small numbers.

Out of five polling stations in Shtërpcë two have been opened and Serb community in small numbers is taking part.

Ferizaj

The most serious incident has been recorded in Han i Elezit, where before 6:00AM a polling station has ended in flames and a portion of the voting material was burned (voting booths, voting boxes etc.). In spite of this, voting has started on time, after the polling station has been reopened in another location.

Prizren

All polling stations have been opened, most of them with delays of 30-45 minutes. The polling station 2003a has been relocated in another school. This caused confusion amongst voters and discouraged from voting a number of them.

In a number of polling stations our observers have faced difficulties from Election commissions, yet in all of such instances difficulties were eliminated and observers are carrying out their tasks.

Press Release