On Thursday morning, at the Counting and Results Center, a commission composed of officials from the Central Election Commission (CEC) began its work to evaluate the ballots of the second-round mayoral elections in South Mitrovica.

The establishment of this commission by the CEC came after, during the verification of results at the Municipal Counting Center in this municipality, ballots were found whose codes did not match the polling station to which they belonged.

This situation has raised significant doubts and concerns about the integrity of the election process on election day in this municipality, which was held on November 9.

CEC spokesperson Valmir Elezi confirmed to KosovaPress the start of this commission’s work.

“ I can confirm that at the Counting and Results Center, the commission established by the CEC has started evaluating the ballots for the second-round mayoral elections in South Mitrovica and Gjakova. The commission is expected to prepare a report and submit it no later than November 14. Meanwhile, for other municipalities, this evaluation will be done based on a designated sample, and the report will be finalized by the end of the week,” Elezi said.

Elezi added that the work of this commission will also serve to respond to requests from the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP).

In this institution, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), which was competing against the Vetëvendosje Movement, submitted a complaint requesting a re-vote, arguing that the integrity of the election process had been severely compromised.

Elezi: Commission’s Work Will Respond to ECAP Request

“Additionally, the work of this commission will serve to respond to the request from the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel regarding a complaint submitted concerning the second round of the South Mitrovica mayoral elections, while also providing further clarification on the situation,” Elezi said.

The Election Complaints and Appeals Panel has a deadline to decide on the PDK’s complaint by the end of the week.