Elections during a pandemic, what does the CEC say?

The Vetevendosje Movement and the Democratic Party of Kosovo have said that the sooner new parliamentary elections are held, the better for the country. VV has even proposed that the elections be held in mid-June, despite the country still being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

How ready is the Central Election Commission to organize an electoral process during a pandemic? IndeksOnline has received responses from competent officials.

"The Central Election Commission is a permanent constitutional institution whose main task is to organize elections whenever requested. As in the past, the Central Election Commission will fulfill its constitutional and legal duties. Meanwhile, regarding the specific situation we are in due to the pandemic, we cannot provide an answer to aspects related to the health of citizens as these are the responsibility of other relevant and professional institutions," he stated. IndeksOnline, Valmir Elezi, CEC spokesperson.

As for the process for electing the mayor of Podujeva, the CEC says: As you know, on March 14, the Central Election Commission requested from the President of the Republic to postpone the date of the extraordinary elections for mayor of Podujeva because on the same day we received a recommendation from the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo to temporarily suspend the March 15 elections in this municipality to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Republic of Kosovo. Immediately after the President's decision, the Central Election Commission decided to suspend the implementation of the operational plan for organizing these elections. Therefore, on this issue as well, the CEC's response is the same, as above./IndeksOnline/